Psalm 142

Last updated
Psalm 142
"I cried unto the LORD with my voice"
Pfarrkirche Molln - Anna und Maria.jpg
Statue of Mary and Saint Anne in Molln church; Anne holds a scroll with a quotation from Ps 142: Tu es spes mea, portio mea ("Thou art my refuge and my portion.")
Other name
  • Psalm 141 (Vulgate)
  • "Voce mea ad Dominum clamavi"
Psalm 142
  Psalm 141
Psalm 143  
Book Book of Psalms
Hebrew Bible part Ketuvim
Order in the Hebrew part1
Category Sifrei Emet
Christian Bible part Old Testament
Order in the Christian part19

Psalm 142 is the 142nd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "I cried unto the LORD with my voice." In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 141. In Latin, it is known as "Voce mea ad Dominum clamavi". [1] It is attributed to David in the opening verses. [2] It is labelled as a maschil or contemplation. [3] The text is presented as a prayer uttered by David at the time he was hiding in the Cave of Adullam (part of the David and Jonathan narrative in the Books of Samuel). Albert Barnes notes that "a prayer when he was in the cave" could mean it was a prayer which he composed while in the cave, or one which he composed at a later date, "putting into a poetic form the substance of the prayer which he breathed forth there." [4] It is, consequently, used as a prayer in times of distress.

Contents

The psalm is used as a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and other Protestant liturgies; it has been set to music.

Text

Hebrew

The following table shows the Hebrew text [5] [6] of the Psalm with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).

VerseHebrewEnglish translation (JPS 1917)
1מַשְׂכִּ֥יל לְדָוִ֑ד בִּֽהְיוֹת֖וֹ בַמְּעָרָ֣ה תְפִלָּֽה׃Maschil of David, when he was in the cave; a Prayer.
2ק֭וֹלִי אֶל־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֶזְעָ֑ק ק֝וֹלִ֗י אֶל־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֶתְחַנָּֽן׃With my voice I cry unto the LORD; With my voice I make supplication unto the LORD.
3אֶשְׁפֹּ֣ךְ לְפָנָ֣יו שִׂיחִ֑י צָ֝רָתִ֗י לְפָנָ֥יו אַגִּֽיד׃I pour out my complaint before Him, I declare before Him my trouble;
4בְּהִתְעַטֵּ֬ף עָלַ֨י ׀ רוּחִ֗י וְאַתָּה֮ יָדַ֢עְתָּ נְֽתִיבָ֫תִ֥י בְּאֹֽרַח־ז֥וּ אֲהַלֵּ֑ךְ טָמְנ֖וּ פַ֣ח לִֽי׃When my spirit fainteth within me— Thou knowest my path— In the way wherein I walk Have they hidden a snare for me.
5הַבֵּ֤יט יָמִ֨ין ׀ וּרְאֵה֮ וְאֵֽין־לִ֢י מַ֫כִּ֥יר אָבַ֣ד מָנ֣וֹס מִמֶּ֑נִּי אֵ֖ין דּוֹרֵ֣שׁ לְנַפְשִֽׁי׃Look on my right hand, and see, For there is no man that knoweth me; I have no way to flee; No man careth for my soul.
6זָעַ֥קְתִּי אֵלֶ֗יךָ יְ֫הֹוָ֥ה אָ֭מַרְתִּי אַתָּ֣ה מַחְסִ֑י חֶ֝לְקִ֗י בְּאֶ֣רֶץ הַחַיִּֽים׃I have cried unto Thee, O LORD; I have said: 'Thou art my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.'
7הַקְשִׁ֤יבָה ׀ אֶֽל־רִנָּתִי֮ כִּֽי־דַלּ֢וֹתִ֫י מְאֹ֥ד הַצִּילֵ֥נִי מֵרֹדְפַ֑י כִּ֖י אָמְצ֣וּ מִמֶּֽנִּי׃Attend unto my cry; For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors; For they are too strong for me.
8ה֘וֹצִ֤יאָה מִמַּסְגֵּ֨ר ׀ נַפְשִׁי֮ לְהוֹד֢וֹת אֶת־שְׁ֫מֶ֥ךָ בִּ֭י יַכְתִּ֣רוּ צַדִּיקִ֑ים כִּ֖י תִגְמֹ֣ל עָלָֽי׃Bring my soul out of prison, That I may give thanks unto Thy name; The righteous shall crown themselves because of me; For Thou wilt deal bountifully with me.

King James Version

The following is the English text of the Psalm from the King James Bible.

Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave.
  1. I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
  2. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
  3. 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. 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 cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
  6. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
  7. 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.

Verse numbering

In the Hebrew Bible, Psalm 142:1 comprises the designation

Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. (KJV)

From then on verses 1–7 in most English versions correspond to verses 2–8 in the Hebrew text. [lower-alpha 1]

Verse 2

I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble. [7]

Barnes points out that the psalmist is not so much "complaining" as meditating, or praying for release. [4]

Liturgical use

In Catholic liturgy, this psalm has been recited at Vespers since the Middle Ages. According to the Rule of St. Benedict (530), this psalm traditionally appeared on Friday night. [8] [9] In the current Liturgy of the Hours, this psalm is recited on Saturday Vespers in the first week of the cycle of four weeks. Psalm 142 is said or sung at Evensong on the 29th of the month following the rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer. This psalm is known to have been recited by Saint Francis of Assisi on his deathbed.

Musical settings

Heinrich Schütz composed a metred paraphrase of Psalm 142 in German, "Ich schrei zu meinem lieben Gott", SWV 247, for the Becker Psalter , published first in 1628.

Artemy Vedel composed a choral concerto based on the Psalm 142, Glasom moim. [10] Polyphonic settings of the psalm have been composed by Andreas Hakenberger, Gracián Babán, and Jules Van Nuffel, among others.

Notes

  1. The New American Bible, Revised Edition, follows the Hebrew pattern: Psalm 142:1–8.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 95</span>

Psalm 95 is the 95th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation". The Book of Psalms starts the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and, as such, is a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 94. In Latin, it is known as "Venite exultemus" or simply "Venite". The psalm is a hymn psalm, one of the Royal psalms, praising God as the King of His people. Psalm 95 identifies no author, but Hebrews 4:7 attributes it to David. The Vulgate also names David as the author.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 90</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 90 is the 90th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 89. In Latin, it is known as "Domine refugium tu factus es nobis in generatione et generatione". It is the opening psalm of Book 4 of the psalms. Uniquely among the Psalms, it is attributed to Moses. It is well known for its reference in verse 10 to human life expectancy being 70 or 80 : it is believed that this verse was the influence for the opening words of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 30</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 30 is the 30th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 29. In Latin, it is known as "Exaltabo te Domine". It is a psalm of thanksgiving, traditionally ascribed to David upon the building of his own royal palace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 5</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 5 is the fifth psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation". In Latin, it is known as "Verba mea auribus percipe Domine". The psalm is traditionally attributed to David. It reflects how the righteous man prays for deliverance not only for freedom from suffering, but to allow himself to serve God without distraction. The New King James Version entitles it "A Prayer for Guidance".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 13</span> 13th psalm in the Book of Psalms

Psalm 13 is the 13th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version (KJV): "How long, O Lord". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 12 in a slightly different numbering system. In Latin, it is known as "Usquequo Domine".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 17</span> Book of psalms chapter 17

Psalm 17 is the 17th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry". In the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, it is psalm 16 in a slightly different numbering system, "Exaudi Domine iustitiam meam". Its authorship is traditionally assigned to King David.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 27</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 27 is the 27th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 26. In Latin, it is known as "Dominus illuminatio mea".

Psalm 28 is the 28th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock;". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 27. In Latin, it is known by the incipit, "Exaudi vocem deprecationis meae".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 32</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 32 is the 32nd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 31. In Latin, it is known by the incipit, "Beati quorum". The psalmist expresses the joy of being released from great suffering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 39</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 39 is the 39th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 38. In Latin, it is known as "Dixi custodiam vias meas". It is a meditation on the fragility of man before God, ending in a prayer for a peaceful life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 41</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 41 is the 41st psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Blessed is he that considereth the poor". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and generally in its Latin translations, this psalm is Psalm 40. In the Vulgate, it begins "Beatus qui intellegit super egenum et pauperem". The final psalm in Book One of the collection, it is attributed to King David.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 141</span>

Psalm 141 is the 141st psalm of the Book of Psalms, a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian biblical canon, that begins in English in the King James Version: "LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 140. In Latin, it is known as "Domine clamavi ad te exaudi me".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 123</span>

Psalm 123 is the 123rd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. This short psalm is one of fifteen psalms that begin with the words "A song of ascents". In Latin, it is known as "Ad te levavi oculos meos", and Baptist writer Charles Spurgeon calls it "the Psalm of the eyes".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 120</span>

Psalm 120 is the 120th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in the English of the King James Version: "In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 119. In Latin, it is known as "Ad Dominum cum tribularer clamavi". It is one of 15 psalms categorized as Song of Ascents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 59</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 59 is the 59th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me". In the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible and the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 58. In Latin, it is known as "Eripe me de inimicis meis Deu". It is described as "a prayer composed when Saul sent messengers to wait at the house in order to kill him", and commentator Cyril Rodd describes it as a "vigorous plea for the destruction of the psalmist's enemies".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 71</span>

Psalm 71 is the 71st psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion". It has no title in the Hebrew version. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 70. In Latin, it is known as "In te Domine speravi".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 77</span> 77th psalm in the Book of Psalms

Psalm 77 is the 77th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 76. In Latin, it is known as "Voce mea ad Dominum clamavi".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 79</span>

Psalm 79 is the 79th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 78. In Latin, it is known as "Deus venerunt gentes in hereditatem tuam". It is one of the 12 Psalms of Asaph. The New American Bible calls it "a prayer for Jerusalem".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 88</span>

Psalm 88 is the 88th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 87. In Latin, it is known as "Domine Deus salutis meae". According to the title, it is a "psalm of the sons of Korah" as well as a "maskil of Heman the Ezrahite".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 61</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 61 is the 61st psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.". In the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible and the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 60. In Latin, it is known as "Exaudi Deus". The psalm is to be played on a neginah or stringed instrument. The Psalm is attributed to King David. The Jerusalem Bible calls it a "prayer of an exile".

References

  1. "Parallel Latin/English Psalter / Psalmus 141 (142)". medievalist.net. 2 May 2019.
  2. Lama, A. K. (2013). Reading Psalm 145 with the Sages: A Compositional Analysis. Langham Monographs. p. 3. ISBN   9781907713354.
  3. Psalm 142: New King James Version
  4. 1 2 Barnes, A. (1834), Barnes' Notes on Psalm 142, accessed 30 June 2022
  5. "Psalms – Chapter 142". Mechon Mamre.
  6. "Psalms 142 - JPS 1917". Sefaria.org.
  7. Psalm 42:2: NKJV
  8. Règle de saint Benoît, translated by Prosper Guéranger, p. 47, Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes, reissued 2007.
  9. Psautier latin-français du bréviaire monastique, p. 528, 1938/2003.
  10. "Vedel, Artemy". Orthodox Sacred Music Reference Library. Retrieved 25 February 2023.