Psalms
Chapter 142
A prayer from someone hiding in a cave, surrounded by enemies and with no one to help. He tells God everything that is wrong, says traps have been set along his path, and admits that his attackers are stronger than he is. He asks God to set him free, and ends by trusting that God will be good to him and that others will gather around him again.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
1I called out loud to the LORD. Out loud I begged the LORD for help.
2I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
2I told him everything that was wrong. I laid all my trouble out in front of him.
3When 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.
3When I was worn out and ready to give up, you still knew the road I was on. Along the path I walk, they have hidden a trap for me.
"Privily" means secretly. The trap is hidden on purpose.
4I 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.
4I looked to my right side to see if anyone was there. No one paid attention to me. I had nowhere to hide, and nobody cared what happened to me.
5I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
5So I called out to you, LORD. I said, "You are my safe place. You are all I have while I am alive."
6Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
6Listen to my cry, because I have been brought very low. Save me from the people chasing me. They are stronger than I am.
7Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
7Set me free from this prison, so I can praise your name. Then good people will gather around me, because you will be so good to me.
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