A prayer of David when he was in the cave. A maskil.
1I call out to the LORD. I pray to him for mercy.2I pour out my problem to him. I tell him about my trouble.3When I grow weak, you are watching over my life. In the path where I walk, people have hidden a trap to catch me.4Look and see that no one is on my right side to help me. No one is concerned about me. I have no place of safety. No one cares whether I live or die.5LORD, I cry out to you. I say, ‘You are my place of safety. You are everything I need in this life.’6Listen to my cry. I am in great need. Save me from those who are chasing me. They are too strong for me.7My troubles are like a prison. Set me free so I can praise your name. Then those who do what is right will gather around me because you have been good to me.
1A Maskil[1] of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. (Ps 3:4; Ps 30:8; Ps 57:1)2I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. (Ps 102:1; Isa 26:16)3When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. (Ps 77:3; Ps 140:5)4Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. (Job 11:20; Ps 16:8; Ps 31:11; Ps 69:20; Jer 25:35)5I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” (Ps 14:6; Ps 16:5; Ps 27:13)6Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! (Ps 17:1; Ps 18:17; Ps 79:8)7Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me. (Ps 13:6; Ps 143:11; Isa 42:7)