Psalms 142:1

A well-written song ²  by David, when he was in the cave; ³  a prayer. To the Lord I cry out; ⁴  to the Lord I plead for mercy. ⁵ 

1Sa 22:1,2; 1Sa 24:3; 1Ch 4:10; Ps 28:2; Ps 32:1; Ps 54:1; Ps 57:1; Ps 77:1,2; Ps 141:1; Heb 11:38

¹ sn Psalm 142. The psalmist laments his persecuted state and asks the Lord to deliver him from his enemies.

² tn The meaning of the Hebrew term מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is uncertain. The word is derived from a verb meaning “to be prudent; to be wise.” Various options are: “a contemplative song,” “a song imparting moral wisdom,” or “a skillful [i.e., well-written] song.” The term occurs in the superscriptions of Pss 32, 42, 44, 45, 52-55, 74, 78, 88, 89, and 142, as well as in Ps 47:7.

³ sn According to the superscription, David wrote this psalm while in “the cave.” This probably refers to either the incident recorded in 1 Sam 22:1 or to the one recorded in 1 Sam 24:3. See the superscription of Ps 57.

⁴ tn Heb “[with] my voice to the Lord I cry out.”

⁵ tn Heb “[with] my voice to the Lord I plead for mercy.”