☰ Psalms 142
142
1  A well-written song1 by David, when he was in the cave;2 a prayer.
To the Lord I cry out;3
to the Lord I plead for mercy.4
2  I pour out my lament before him;
I tell him about5 my troubles.
3  Even when my strength leaves me,6
you watch my footsteps.7
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
4  Look to the right and see!
No one cares about me.8
I have nowhere to run;9
no one is concerned about my life.10
5  I cry out to you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my shelter,
my security11 in the land of the living.”
6  Listen to my cry for help,
for I am in serious trouble!12
Rescue me from those who chase me,
for they are stronger than I am.
7  Free me13 from prison,
that I may give thanks to your name.
Because of me the godly will assemble,14
for you will vindicate me.15 16
1 142:1 sn: Psalm 142. The psalmist laments his persecuted state and asks the Lord to deliver him from his enemies. 2 142:1 tn: The meaning of the Hebrew term מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is uncertain. The word is derived from a verb meaning “to be prudent; to be wise.” Various options are: “a contemplative song,” “a song imparting moral wisdom,” or “a skillful [i.e., well-written] song.” The term occurs in the superscriptions of Pss 32, 42, 44, 45, 52-55, 74, 78, 88, 89, and 142, as well as in Ps 47:7. 3 142:1 sn: According to the superscription, David wrote this psalm while in “the cave.” This probably refers to either the incident recorded in 1 Sam 22:1 or to the one recorded in 1 Sam 24:3. See the superscription of Ps 57. 4 142:1 tn: Heb “[with] my voice to the Lord I cry out.” 5 142:2 tn: Heb “[with] my voice to the Lord I plead for mercy.” 6 142:3 tn: Heb “my trouble before him I declare.” 7 142:3 tn: Heb “my spirit grows faint.” 8 142:4 tn: Heb “you know my path.” 9 142:4 tn: Heb “there is no one who recognizes me.” 10 142:4 tn: Heb “ a place of refuge perishes from me.” 11 142:5 tn: Heb “there is no one who seeks for the sake of my life.” 12 142:6 tn: Heb “my portion.” The psalmist compares the Lord to landed property, which was foundational to economic stability in ancient Israel. 13 142:7 tn: Heb “for I am very low.” 14 142:7 tn: Heb “bring out my life.” 15 142:7 tn: Or “gather around.” 16 142:7 tn: The Hebrew idiom גָּמַל עַל (gamal ’al) means “to repay,” here in a positive sense.
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