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This is a special song that David wrote.

He prayed this when he was in the cave.[a]

Please help me, Lord!

142 I am calling to the Lord to help me.
    I ask him to be kind to me.
I tell him about all my problems.
    I tell him about all my troubles.
When I do not feel brave,
    you are still my guide, Lord.
In the path where I walk,
    my enemies have prepared a trap to catch me.
Look at me!
    I have no friend to help me.
There is no safe place where I can go.
    Nobody thinks about me.
Yes Lord, I am calling to you to help me.
    You are my safe place where I can hide.
    You are all that I need in this world where I live.
Please listen to me as I cry to you.
    I am very upset!
My enemies are trying to catch me.
    Save me from their power!
    They are stronger than I am.
Please take me out of this prison.[b]
    Then I will praise your name.
Your own good people will see how you have helped me.
    They will meet round me to praise you.

Footnotes

  1. 142:0 David wrote this song in a cave. It is a prayer that David prayed when his enemies were trying to catch him. He does not say who these enemies were. There are two stories about David hiding in a cave. See 1 Samuel 22 and 1 Samuel 24.
  2. 142:7 The cave where David was hiding seemed like a prison to him. He could not leave safely unless God helped him.