Read & explore together
I Lift My Voice to the LORD
Psalm 142 is a prayer-song from deep distress. The speaker calls aloud to the LORD, tells him his trouble, and asks for rescue while still naming the LORD as refuge.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
This passage is direct prayer to Yahweh. The speaker asks for mercy, describes hidden danger and loneliness, says his need is desperate, and asks to be brought out of prison so he may give thanks. The psalm stays within poetry and song addressed to God.
Psalms 142:1–7Main takeaway
This psalm shows that a troubled person can speak honestly to the LORD, ask for mercy and rescue, and call him a refuge.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Calling aloud for mercyThe psalm begins with repeated words: “with my voice”. The speaker is not speaking vaguely about faith.
Explanation
The psalm begins with repeated words: “with my voice”. The speaker is not speaking vaguely about faith. He is crying directly to Yahweh and asking for mercy. The repeated voice language makes the prayer sound urgent, open, and personal.
02Pouring out trouble before GodThe writer says he pours out his complaint before God and tells him his troubles. In this psalm, complaint is part of prayer because it is brought before the LORD.
Explanation
The writer says he pours out his complaint before God and tells him his troubles. In this psalm, complaint is part of prayer because it is brought before the LORD. The speaker does not hide his distress but speaks plainly to God.
03Overwhelmed and aloneThe trouble is heavy. His spirit is overwhelmed, yet the LORD knows his route. A snare has been hidden on his path.
Explanation
The trouble is heavy. His spirit is overwhelmed, yet the LORD knows his route. A snare has been hidden on his path. He also feels abandoned, saying no one is concerned for him, refuge has fled, and no one cares for his soul.
04Refuge and a plea for releaseThe psalm turns again to trust. The speaker calls Yahweh his refuge and portion in the land of the living.
Explanation
The psalm turns again to trust. The speaker calls Yahweh his refuge and portion in the land of the living. He asks to be heard and delivered from persecutors who are too strong. He asks to be brought out of prison so he can thank God’s name.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What words show that this prayer is spoken directly and openly to the LORD?
Notice the repeated “with my voice” and the words about telling troubles before him.
02How does the psalm describe both danger and loneliness?
Look for the hidden snare, the overwhelmed spirit, and the lines saying no one is concerned or cares.
03What does the writer ask for at the end of the psalm?
Find the requests to listen, deliver, and bring his soul out of prison so he may give thanks.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 142:1–7
1I cry with my voice to Yahweh. With my voice, I ask Yahweh for mercy.
2I pour out my complaint before him. I tell him my troubles.
3When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, you knew my route. On the path in which I walk, they have hidden a snare for me.
4Look on my right, and see; for there is no one who is concerned for me. Refuge has fled from me. No one cares for my soul.
5I cried to you, Yahweh. I said, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
6Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need. Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.
7Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me, for you will be good to me.