Psalm 142-143New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 142

A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.



1
I cry aloud to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.

2
I pour out before him my complaint;
before him I tell my trouble.



3
When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
people have hidden a snare for me.

4
Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.



5
I cry to you, Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”



6
Listen to my cry,
for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.

7
Set me free from my prison,
that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.

Psalm 143

A psalm of David.



1
Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.

2
Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.

3
The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
like those long dead.

4
So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.

5
I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.

6
I spread out my hands to you;
I thirst for you like a parched land.



7
Answer me quickly, Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.

9
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
for I hide myself in you.

10
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.



11
For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.

12
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.