The Hundred-and-Forty-Second Psalm
The Psalmist prays that God would not regard him according to his merits, but look upon his miseries, and deliver him from them, and also from his enemies.
O Lord hear my prayer; give ear to my petition in thy truth; hear me in thy justice.
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight no man living shall be justified.
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath humbled my life to the earth.
He hath made me dwell in darkness, as those who have been dead of old: my spirit is in anguish upon me, and my heart is troubled within me.
I remember the days of old, I meditated on all thy works: on the works of thy hands did I meditate.
I stretched forth my hands to thee: unto thee my soul is as earth without water.
Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit hath fainted away.
Turn not away thy face from me: lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning: for I have hoped in thee.
Make the way known to me wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to thee.
Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord: to thee have I fled: teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God.
Thy good spirit shall conduct me into the way of righteousness; for thy name’s sake, O Lord, thou wilt quicken me in thy justice.
Thou wilt bring forth my soul out of tribulation: and in thy mercy thou wilt destroy mine enemies.
And thou wilt destroy all those that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant. Glory, &c.