Christian prayer
Psalm 142
Psalm 142 in its original text and with its meaning, a biblical prayer for help in distress.
- 7 verses
- Under a minute to recite
- From the Bible
- 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.
The Hebrew original
1 מַשְׂכִּ֥יל לְדָוִ֑ד בִּהְיוֹת֖וֹ בַמְּעָרָ֣ה תְפִלָּֽה׃
2 ק֭וֹלִי אֶל־יְהוָ֣ה אֶזְעָ֑ק ק֝וֹלִ֗י אֶל־יְהוָ֥ה אֶתְחַנָּֽן׃
3 אֶשְׁפֹּ֣ךְ לְפָנָ֣יו שִׂיחִ֑י צָ֝רָתִ֗י לְפָנָ֥יו אַגִּֽיד׃
4 בְּהִתְעַטֵּ֬ף עָלַ֨י ׀ רוּחִ֗י וְאַתָּה֮ יָדַ֪עְתָּ נְֽתִיבָ֫תִ֥י בְּאֹֽרַח־ז֥וּ אֲהַלֵּ֑ךְ טָמְנ֖וּ פַ֣ח לִֽי׃
5 הַבֵּ֤יט יָמִ֨ין ׀ וּרְאֵה֮ וְאֵֽין־לִ֪י מַ֫כִּ֥יר אָבַ֣ד מָנ֣וֹס מִמֶּ֑נִּי אֵ֖ין דּוֹרֵ֣שׁ לְנַפְשִֽׁי׃
6 זָעַ֥קְתִּי אֵלֶ֗יךָ יְה֫וָ֥ה אָ֭מַרְתִּי אַתָּ֣ה מַחְסִ֑י חֶ֝לְקִ֗י בְּאֶ֣רֶץ הַֽחַיִּים׃
7 הַקְשִׁ֤יבָה ׀ אֶֽל־רִנָּתִי֮ כִּֽי־דַלּ֪וֹתִ֫י מְאֹ֥ד הַצִּילֵ֥נִי מֵרֹדְפַ֑י כִּ֖י אָמְצ֣וּ מִמֶּֽנִּי׃
8 ה֘וֹצִ֤יאָה מִמַּסְגֵּ֨ר ׀ נַפְשִׁי֮ לְהוֹד֪וֹת אֶת־שְׁ֫מֶ֥ךָ בִּ֭י יַכְתִּ֣רוּ צַדִּיקִ֑ים כִּ֖י תִגְמֹ֣ל עָלָֽי׃
Wording: The Holy Bible, King James Version, 1611 (standard text of 1769). Copied word for word from the edition named here
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When it is prayed
Many Christians pray Psalm 142 during loneliness, fear, or hardship, when its words help them express their need for God. It is also used in personal devotion and communal prayer as a plea for refuge and deliverance.
Where it comes from
Psalm 142 comes from the Book of Psalms in the Bible. Its heading attributes it to David and describes it as a prayer from a time when he was in a cave. The psalm moves from a cry of distress toward hope in God's care.
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Related prayers and texts
- ChristianPsalm 91A biblical psalm of trust in God’s shelter and protection amid danger.
- ChristianPsalm 23A biblical psalm of trust in God, pictured as a caring shepherd and generous host.
- ChristianPsalm 121A biblical psalm of trust in God as the keeper of those who look to him for help.
- ChristianPsalm 35A biblical psalm asking God for protection, justice and deliverance from enemies.
Questions about Psalm 142
How many verses are in Psalm 142?
Psalm 142 has 7 verses.
What does Psalm 142 mean?
It expresses the pain of feeling trapped, alone, and without human help. The speaker turns to God as a refuge and asks to be brought out of trouble so that he can give thanks.
Who wrote Psalm 142?
The psalm's heading attributes it to David and connects it with a time when he was in a cave.
When can I pray Psalm 142?
Many Christians pray it when they feel overwhelmed, isolated, or in need of help. It can also give words to prayer on behalf of someone facing hardship.
What language was Psalm 142 originally written in?
Psalm 142 was originally written in Hebrew, like the rest of the Book of Psalms.
