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 shall cry unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice shall I ask the LORD for mercy.

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

I shall pour out my complaint before him; before him I shall tell of 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 didst know my path. In the way in which I walked have they secretly 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 one that would know me; I had no refuge; no one 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 hope 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 feast with me; when thou shalt have weaned me.