Inside a limestone cave: dark rock fills the upper half, and the low bright mouth of the cave opens below.

Lament · David

Psalm 142

David wrote this in a cave with Saul’s men hunting him. For when no one is coming.

7 verses≈ 3 min1 personBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'
42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressure
73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom falls
90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last HallelujahPsalm 142

I Lift My Voice to the LORD

A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer.

I cry aloud to the LORD;

I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy.

I pour out my complaint before Him;

I reveal my trouble to Him.

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A bare rock ledge beside a cave mouth, one old water skin resting on it and the space beside it empty.

Although my spirit grows faint within me,

You know my way.

Along the path I travel

they have hidden a snare for me.

Look to my right and see;

no one attends to me.

There is no refuge for me;

no one cares for my soul.

0:15

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

From a dark cave mouth, the green valley below in bright noon light, with terraces and oaks and no one near.

I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge,

my portion in the land of the living.”

Dusk before the caves of Adullam: a ragged company of men of every age gathered around cooking fires on the slope, with old spears and staffs and patched cloaks; David stands among them speaking, and his gray-bearded father and brothers sit near the fire.

Listen to my cry,

for I am brought quite low.

Rescue me from my pursuers,

for they are too strong for me.

Free my soul from prison,

that I may praise Your name.

The righteous will gather around me

because of Your goodness to me.

Pray

Pour it out

David says, “I pour out my complaint before Him.” Do the same. Name one thing that is too much for you, plainly, and don’t tidy it up first. He already knows your way.

You’ve experienced

Psalm 142

0 of 150 psalms read

A verse to carry with you

I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

Psalm 142:5

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