1 A n Instruction of David, a Prayer when he is in the cave. My voice unto Jehovah, I cry, My voice unto Jehovah, I entreat grace.

I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.

2 I pour forth before Him my meditation, My distress before Him I declare.

I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

3 W hen my spirit hath been feeble in me, Then Thou hast known my path; In the way which I walk, They have hid a snare for me.

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 L ooking on the right hand -- and seeing, And I have none recognizing; Perished hath refuge from me, There is none inquiring for my soul.

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 have cried unto thee, O Jehovah, I have said, `Thou my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.'

I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

6 A ttend Thou unto my loud cry, For I have become very low, Deliver Thou me from my pursuers, For they have been stronger than I.

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

7 B ring forth from prison my soul to confess Thy name, The righteous do compass me about, When Thou conferrest benefits upon me!

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.