A Maskil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave.

A maskil of David, when he was in the cave [(where he cut the corner of Saul's robe, viz. I Samuel 24:4)], a prayer:

I cry to the Lord with my voice; with my voice I make my supplication to the Lord.

[With] my voice to the L rd shall I cry out. [With] my voice to the L rd shall I make supplication.

I pour out my complaint before him; I declare my trouble before him.

I shall pour out my plaint before Him. I shall indite my affliction before Him.

When my spirit faints within me, then Thou knowst my path. In the way wherein I walk they have hidden a snare for me.

When my spirit was enwrapped [in woe] upon me, and You knew my path [to be full of snares]; in whichever way I went they had buried a trap for me —

I look on my right hand, and behold, but there is no man that knows me: I have nowhere to flee; no man cares for my soul.

[I] looked to the right [and to the left] and saw that no one knew me [i.e., none of all of Saul's servants protested in my behalf.] Refuge fled from me; no one was solicitous of my soul —

I cried to Thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

I cried out to You, O L rd. I said that You are my refuge, my portion in the land of life.

Attend to my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

Give ear to my plaint, for I am greatly humbled. Save me from my pursuers, for they have grown stronger than I.

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks to Thy name: the righteous shall crown themselves in me; for Thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

Release my soul from its constraint to praise Your name. Because of me let the righteous crown You [(as supporting those who fear You)], when [they see that] You are compassionate to me.