Psalms 142:5-7

142:5 I cry out to you, O Lord;

I say, “You are my shelter,

my security ¹  in the land of the living.”

142:6 Listen to my cry for help,

for I am in serious trouble! ² 

Rescue me from those who chase me,

for they are stronger than I am.

142:7 Free me ³  from prison,

that I may give thanks to your name.

Because of me the godly will assemble, ⁴ 

for you will vindicate me. ⁵ 

[142:5]  ¹ tn Heb “my portion.” The psalmist compares the Lord to landed property, which was foundational to economic stability in ancient Israel.

[142:6]  ² tn Heb “for I am very low.”

[142:7]  ³ tn Heb “bring out my life.”

[142:7]  ⁴ tn Or “gather around.”

[142:7]  ⁵ tn The Hebrew idiom גָּמַל עַל (gamal ’al) means “to repay,” here in a positive sense.