Psalms 142–144

1I cry with my voice to Yahweh. With my voice, I ask Yahweh for mercy.

2I pour out my complaint before him. I tell him my troubles.

3When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, you knew my route. On the path in which I walk, they have hidden a snare for me.

4Look on my right, and see; for there is no one who is concerned for me. Refuge has fled from me. No one cares for my soul.

5I cried to you, Yahweh. I said, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

6Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need. Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.

7Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me, for you will be good to me.

1Hear my prayer, Yahweh. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me.

2Don’t enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous.

3For the enemy pursues my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead.

4Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.

5I remember the days of old. I meditate on all your doings. I contemplate the work of your hands.

6I spread out my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. Selah.

7Hurry to answer me, Yahweh. My spirit fails. Don’t hide your face from me, so that I don’t become like those who go down into the pit.

8Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.

9Deliver me, Yahweh, from my enemies. I flee to you to hide me.

10Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

11Revive me, Yahweh, for your name’s sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.

12In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant.

1Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, who trains my hands to war, and my fingers to battle—

2my loving kindness, my fortress, my high tower, my deliverer, my shield, and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me.

3Yahweh, what is man, that you care for him? Or the son of man, that you think of him?

4Man is like a breath. His days are like a shadow that passes away.

5Part your heavens, Yahweh, and come down. Touch the mountains, and they will smoke.

6Throw out lightning, and scatter them. Send out your arrows, and rout them.

7Stretch out your hand from above, rescue me, and deliver me out of great waters, out of the hands of foreigners,

8whose mouths speak deceit, whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

9I will sing a new song to you, God. On a ten-stringed lyre, I will sing praises to you.

10You are he who gives salvation to kings, who rescues David, his servant, from the deadly sword.

11Rescue me, and deliver me out of the hands of foreigners, whose mouths speak deceit, whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

12Then our sons will be like well-nurtured plants, our daughters like pillars carved to adorn a palace.

13Our barns are full, filled with all kinds of provision. Our sheep produce thousands and ten thousands in our fields.

14Our oxen will pull heavy loads. There is no breaking in, and no going away, and no outcry in our streets.

15Happy are the people who are in such a situation. Happy are the people whose God is Yahweh.