Psalms 142
What Happens in This Chapter
In this psalm, a song and prayer, the writer is in trouble and hiding from people who want to hurt him. He tells God everything he feels. He says no one is helping him, but God is his safe place. He asks God to set him free so he can thank Him.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
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. I begged the LORD to help me.
2I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
2I told God all my troubles. I showed Him everything that hurt me.
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 felt weak and tired inside, You still knew my way. On the path I walk, they hid a trap for me.
"Privily laid a snare" means they secretly set a trap, the way a hunter hides a trap for an animal.
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 who would help. No one even noticed me. I had no safe place. No one cared about my life.
5I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
5I called to You, LORD. I said, "You are my safe place. You are all I need while I am alive."
"My portion in the land of the living" means God is the share he has been given, for as long as he lives.
6Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
6Please listen to my cry. I feel 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 thank You. Good people will gather around me, because You have been so kind to me.
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