Read Psalms 142 in the King James Bible (opens in a new tab)
Psalm 142 is David’s prayer “when he was in the cave,” pouring out his complaint to the LORD and describing his trouble without hiding it. He confesses that his spirit is overwhelmed and that people have laid snares for him, while human help has failed—no one seems to care for his soul. Yet he turns deliberately to God as his refuge and portion in the land of the living. The psalm asks for deliverance from stronger persecutors and ends with confidence that God will deal bountifully and the righteous will gather around the LORD’s faithfulness.
Psalms 142:1 - 142:7
1 Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
4 I looked on [my] right hand, and beheld, but [there was] no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
5 I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou [art] my refuge [and] my portion in the land of the living.
6 Attend unto 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 praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.