Psalm 142–143

Psalm 142

A psalm of David, regarding his experience in the cave. A prayer.

¹I cry out to the Lord;

I plead for the Lord’s mercy.

²I pour out my complaints before him

and tell him all my troubles.

³When I am overwhelmed,

you alone know the way I should turn.

Wherever I go,

my enemies have set traps for me.

⁴I look for someone to come and help me,

but no one gives me a passing thought!

No one will help me;

no one cares a bit what happens to me.

⁵Then I pray to you, O Lord.

I say, “You are my place of refuge.

You are all I really want in life.

⁶Hear my cry,

for I am very low.

Rescue me from my persecutors,

for they are too strong for me.

⁷Bring me out of prison

so I can thank you.

The godly will crowd around me,

for you are good to me.”

Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

¹Hear my prayer, O Lord;

listen to my plea!

Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.

²Don’t put your servant on trial,

for no one is innocent before you.

³My enemy has chased me.

He has knocked me to the ground

and forces me to live in darkness like those in the grave.

⁴I am losing all hope;

I am paralyzed with fear.

⁵I remember the days of old.

I ponder all your great works

and think about what you have done.

⁶I lift my hands to you in prayer.

I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.

Interlude

⁷Come quickly, Lord, and answer me,

for my depression deepens.

Don’t turn away from me,

or I will die.

⁸Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,

for I am trusting you.

Show me where to walk,

for I give myself to you.

⁹Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;

I run to you to hide me.

¹⁰Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God.

May your gracious Spirit lead me forward

on a firm footing.

¹¹For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life.

Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.

¹²In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies

and destroy all my foes,

for I am your servant.