New International VersionA maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
New Living TranslationI cry out to the LORD; I plead for the LORD’s mercy.
English Standard VersionWith my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.
Berean Standard BibleA Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy.
King James BibleMaschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
New King James VersionA Contemplation of David. A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cry out to the LORD with my voice; With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.
New American Standard BibleMaskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. I cry out with my voice to the LORD; With my voice I implore the LORD for compassion.
NASB 1995Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. I cry aloud with my voice to the LORD; I make supplication with my voice to the LORD.
NASB 1977I Cry aloud with my voice to the LORD; I make supplication with my voice to the LORD.
Legacy Standard BibleA Maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A Prayer. With my voice to Yahweh, I cry aloud; With my voice to Yahweh, I make supplication.
Amplified BibleA skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem, of David; when he was in the cave. A Prayer. I cry aloud with my voice to the LORD; I make supplication with my voice to the LORD.
Christian Standard BibleA Maskil of David. When he was in the cave. † A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I plead aloud to the LORD for mercy.
Holman Christian Standard BibleA Davidic Maskil. When he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I plead aloud to the LORD for mercy.
American Standard VersionMaschil of David, when he was in the cave; a Prayer. I cry with my voice unto Jehovah; With my voice unto Jehovah do I make supplication.
Contemporary English VersionI pray to you, LORD. I beg for mercy.
English Revised VersionMaschil of David, when he was in the cave; a Prayer. I cry with my voice unto the LORD; with my voice unto the LORD do I make supplication.
GOD'S WORD® Translation[A [maskil] by David when he was in the cave; a prayer.] Loudly, I cry to the LORD. Loudly, I plead with the LORD for mercy.
Good News TranslationI call to the LORD for help; I plead with him.
International Standard VersionMy voice cries out to the LORD; my voice pleads for mercy to the LORD.
NET BibleA well-written song by David, when he was in the cave; a prayer. To the LORD I cry out; to the LORD I plead for mercy.
New Heart English Bible[A contemplation by David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer.] I cry with my voice to the LORD. With my voice, I ask the LORD for mercy.
Webster's Bible TranslationMaschil of David; a prayer when he was in the cave. I cried to the LORD with my voice; with my voice to the LORD I made my supplication. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleA Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy.
World English BibleA contemplation by David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. I cry with my voice to Yahweh. With my voice, I ask Yahweh for mercy. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAN INSTRUCTION OF DAVID. A PRAYER WHEN HE IS IN THE CAVE. My voice [is] to YHWH, I cry, "" My voice [is] to YHWH, I beg [for] grace.
Young's Literal Translation An Instruction of David, a Prayer when he is in the cave. My voice is unto Jehovah, I cry, My voice is unto Jehovah, I entreat grace.
Smith's Literal TranslationOf the understanding to David; a prayer in his being in the cave. With my voice I will cry to Jehovah; with my voice I will entreat to Jehovah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleOf understanding for David. A prayer when he was in the cave. [1 Kings 24]. I cried to the Lord with my voice: with my voice I made supplication to the Lord.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThe understanding of David. A prayer, when he was in the cave.With my voice, I cried out to the Lord. With my voice, I made supplication to the Lord.
New American Bible
Amaskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. [2] With my own voice I cry to the LORD; with my own voice I beseech the LORD.
New Revised Standard Version
With my voice I cry to the LORD; with my voice I make supplication to the LORD.Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible
I CRIED to the LORD with voice; my with my voice to the LORD did I make my supplication.
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
With my voice to LORD JEHOVAH I cried; with my voice to LORD JEHOVAH I made supplication.OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917
Maschil of David, when he was in the cave; a Prayer. With my voice I cry unto the LORD; With my voice I make supplication unto the LORD.
Brenton Septuagint Translation
A Psalm of instruction for David, when he was in the cave, - a Prayer. I cried to the Lord with my voice; with my voice I made supplication to the Lord.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context I Lift My Voice to the LORD1A Maskilof David,when he wasin the cave.A prayer. I cryaloudtothe LORD;I lift my voicetothe LORDfor mercy.2I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him.…
Cross References Psalm 18:6In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.
Psalm 34:17The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.
Psalm 77:1For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cried out to God; I cried aloud to God to hear me.
Psalm 3:4To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy mountain. Selah
Psalm 61:1For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.
Psalm 116:1-2I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice—my appeal for mercy. / Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.
Psalm 130:1-2A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD! / O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy.
Psalm 55:17Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.
Psalm 28:2Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
Psalm 31:22In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!” But You heard my plea for mercy when I called to You for help.
Psalm 57:1-2For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed. / I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me.
Psalm 88:1-2A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, day and night I cry out before You. / May my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry.
Jonah 2:2saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.
Lamentations 3:55-56I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit. / You heard my plea: “Do not ignore my cry for relief.”
1 Samuel 1:10In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears.
Treasury of Scripture I cried to the LORD with my voice; with my voice to the LORD did I make my supplication. A. Psalm 32:1A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessedis he whose transgressionis forgiven,whose sinis covered. Psalm 54:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil,A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength. Psalm 57:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, untilthese calamities be overpast. A Prayer. when he was 2 Samuel 22:1,2 And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the daythat the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: … 2 Samuel 24:3 And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may seeit: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing? Hebrews 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, andin mountains, andin dens and caves of the earth. with my voice Psalm 28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle. Psalm 77:1,2 To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice,even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me… Psalm 141:1 A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Jump to Previous AloudCaveContemplationCriedCryDavidEntreatGraceHoleLiftMaschilMaskilMercyPrayerSoundSupplicationVoiceJump to Next AloudCaveContemplationCriedCryDavidEntreatGraceHoleLiftMaschilMaskilMercyPrayerSoundSupplicationVoicePsalm 142 1.David shows that in his trouble all his comfort was in prayer unto GodA Maskil of David, when he was in the cave.This phrase indicates that the psalm is a "Maskil," a term suggesting a contemplative or instructive poem. David, the attributed author, composed this psalm during a time of distress, specifically when he was hiding in a cave. This likely refers to one of two instances: either when David fled from King Saul and hid in the cave of Adullam ( 1 Samuel 22:1) or when he was in the cave at En Gedi ( 1 Samuel 24:3). The caves in these regions provided natural fortresses and were common hiding places. David's experience in the cave symbolizes a period of isolation and vulnerability, yet also a time of deep reliance on God. The historical context of David's life, as a fugitive and future king, underscores the themes of trust and divine deliverance. A prayer.
This designation highlights the psalm's primary function as a prayer, a direct communication with God. In the biblical tradition, prayer is a vital expression of faith and dependence on God. David's prayers often reflect his personal struggles and his unwavering trust in God's provision and protection. The psalm serves as a model for believers, illustrating how to approach God in times of trouble. I cry aloud to the LORD;
David's act of crying aloud signifies an urgent and earnest plea. In the Hebrew tradition, vocalizing prayers was common, reflecting sincerity and intensity. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes the covenantal relationship between God and His people. David's cry is not just a call for help but an invocation of God's faithfulness and promises. I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy.
Lifting one's voice indicates a deliberate and conscious act of seeking God's attention. The plea for "mercy" underscores David's recognition of his need for God's compassion and grace. Mercy, in the biblical sense, involves God's loving-kindness and willingness to forgive and aid those in distress. This phrase connects to other scriptures where God's mercy is a central theme, such as inLamentations 3:22-23 andEphesians 2:4-5. David's appeal for mercy foreshadows the ultimate expression of divine mercy through Jesus Christ, who embodies God's grace and redemption for humanity. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of this psalm, traditionally believed to be King David, who often found himself in distressing situations, seeking God's help. 2. The CaveThis psalm is often associated with David's time hiding in a cave, possibly the Cave of Adullam, as he fled from King Saul. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, to whom David directs his cries for help and mercy. Teaching Points The Power of Vocal PrayerDavid's example shows the importance of vocalizing our prayers, which can help us articulate our needs and emotions before God. Seeking God's MercyIn times of distress, like David, we should seek God's mercy, acknowledging our dependence on His grace and compassion. God as Our RefugeDavid's cry from the cave reminds us that God is our ultimate refuge, even when we feel trapped or isolated. Honesty in PrayerDavid's raw and honest plea encourages us to be transparent with God about our struggles and fears. Faith in God's ResponseDespite his dire circumstances, David's cry reflects a faith that God hears and will respond to his plea for mercy. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 142
Psalm 142:1 labels this a prayer of David in a cave—where is the historical or archaeological evidence supporting this cave event?
Psalm 142:4 shows David claiming no one cares for him—how does this reconcile with 1 Samuel 22:2, where he has loyal followers?
Psalm 142:7 promises praise once delivered—how does such certainty stand against the reality of suffering believers whose pleas remain unresolved?
Why does David, in Psalm 58, invoke violent divine judgment (verse 6) when other passages emphasize mercy?(1) I cried . . .--See Psalm 3:4, &c. Verse 1. - I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. "With my voice" means aloud, and therefore earnestly and pressingly (comp. Psalm 3:4; Psalm 27:7; Psalm 64:1; Psalm 77:1; Psalm 130:1, 2, etc.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew A Maskilמַשְׂכִּ֥יל(maś·kîl)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4905:Instructive, a didactic poemof David,לְדָוִ֑ד(lə·ḏā·wiḏ)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732:David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jessewhen he wasבִּהְיוֹת֖וֹ(bih·yō·w·ṯōw)Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bein the cave.בַמְּעָרָ֣ה(ḇam·mə·‘ā·rāh)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4631:A cavernA prayer.תְפִלָּֽה׃(ṯə·p̄il·lāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8605:Intercession, supplication, a hymnI cryאֶזְעָ֑ק(’ez·‘āq)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2199:To shriek, to announce, convene publiclyaloudק֭וֹלִי(qō·w·lî)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6963:A voice, soundtoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tothe LORD;יְהוָ֣ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of IsraelI lift my voiceק֝וֹלִ֗י(qō·w·lî)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6963:A voice, soundtoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tothe LORDיְהוָ֥ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelfor mercy.אֶתְחַנָּֽן׃(’eṯ·ḥan·nān)Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2603:To bend, stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, to implore
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OT Poetry: Psalm 142:1 A contemplation by David when he was (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
