A maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer.

¹ I cry out loud for help from the LORD. I beg out loud for mercy from the LORD.

² I pour out my concerns before God; I announce my distress to him.

³ When my spirit is weak inside me, you still know my way. But they’ve hidden a trap for me in the path I’m taking.

⁴ Look right beside me: See? No one pays attention to me. There’s no escape for me. No one cares about my life.

⁵ I cry to you, LORD, for help. “You are my refuge,” I say. “You are all I have in the land of the living.”

⁶ Pay close attention to my shouting, because I’ve been brought down so low! Deliver me from my oppressors because they’re stronger than me.

⁷ Get me out of this prison so I can give thanks to your name. Then the righteous will gather all around me because of your good deeds to me.