Chapter 142
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 showed before Him my trouble.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knew 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 are 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 shall deal bountifully with me.
Chapter 143
Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness. 2 And enter not into judgment with Thy servant: for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. 3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has smitten my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. 4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. 5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Thy works; I muse on the work of Thy hands. 6 I stretch forth my hands unto Thee: my soul thirsts after Thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
7 Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit fails: hide not Thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. 8 Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee. 9 Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto Thee to hide me. 10 Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou are my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. 11 Quicken me, O Lord, for Thy name’s sake: for Thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. 12 And of Thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am Thy servant.
Chapter 144
Blessed be the Lord my Strength, which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: 2 My Goodness, and my Fortress; my High Tower, and my Deliverer; my Shield, and He in whom I trust; who subdues my people under me.
3 Lord, what is man, that Thou take knowledge of him! or the son of man, that Thou make account of him! 4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passes away.
5 Bow Thy heavens, O Lord, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. 6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out Thine arrows, and destroy them. 7 Send Thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; 8 Whose mouth speaks vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
9 I will sing a new song unto Thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto Thee. 10 It is He that gives salvation unto kings: who delivers David His servant from the hurtful sword.
11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaks vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: 12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: 13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: 14 That our oxen may be strong to labor; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. 15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.
