Psalm 142–143

Psalm 142

A Plea for Relief from Persecutors

A aContemplation 1Of David. A Prayer bWhen He Was in the Cave.

1 I cry out to the Lord with my voice;

With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication.

2 I pour out my complaint before Him;

I declare before Him my trouble.

3 When my spirit 2was coverwhelmed within me,

Then You knew my path.

In the way in which I walk

They have secretly dset a snare for me.

4 Look on my right hand and see,

For there is no one who acknowledges me;

Refuge has failed me;

No one cares for my soul.

5 I cried out to You, O Lord:

I said, “You are my refuge,

My portion in the land of the living.

6 3Attend to my cry,

For I am brought very low;

Deliver me from my persecutors,

For they are stronger than I.

7 Bring my soul out of prison,

That I may epraise Your name;

The righteous shall surround me,

For You shall deal bountifully with me.”

Psalm 143

An Earnest Appeal for Guidance and Deliverance

A Psalm of David.

1 Hear my prayer, O Lord,

Give ear to my supplications!

In Your faithfulness answer me,

And in Your righteousness.

2 Do not enter into judgment with Your servant,

aFor in Your sight no one living is righteous.

3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul;

He has crushed my life to the ground;

He has made me dwell in 1darkness,

Like those who have long been dead.

4 bTherefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;

My heart within me is distressed.

5 cI remember the days of old;

I meditate on all Your works;

I 2muse on the work of Your hands.

6 I spread out my hands to You;

dMy soul longs for You like a thirsty land.

Selah

7 Answer me speedily, O Lord;

My spirit fails!

Do not hide Your face from me,

eLest I 3be like those who 4go down into the pit.

8 Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness fin the morning,

For in You do I trust;

gCause me to know the way in which I should walk,

For hI lift up my soul to You.

9 Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;

5In You I take shelter.

10 iTeach me to do Your will,

For You are my God;

jYour Spirit is good.

Lead me in kthe land of uprightness.

11 lRevive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake!

For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

12 In Your mercy mcut 6off my enemies,

And destroy all those who afflict my soul;

For I am Your servant.