Intellectus David, cum esset in spelunca, oratio. (I Regum 24.)

Of understanding for David. A prayer when he was in the cave. (1 Kings 24.)

(A maskil. Of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer.)

Voce mea ad Dominum clamavi, voce mea ad Dominum deprecatus sum.

I cried to the Lord with my voice: with my voice I made supplication to the Lord.

Loud is my cry to the Lord, the prayer I utter for the Lord’s mercy,

Effundo in conspectu ejus orationem meam, et tribulationem meam ante ipsum pronuntio:

In his sight I pour out my prayer, and before him I declare my trouble:

as I pour out my complaint before him, tell him of the affliction I endure.

in deficiendo ex me spiritum meum, et tu cognovisti semitas meas. In via hac qua ambulabam absconderunt laqueum mihi.

When my spirit failed me, then thou knewest my paths. In this way wherein I walked, they have hidden a snare for me.

My heart is ready to faint within me, but thou art watching over my path. They lie in ambush for me, there by the wayside;

Considerabam ad dexteram, et videbam, et non erat qui cognosceret me: periit fuga a me, et non est qui requirat animam meam.

I looked on my right hand, and beheld, and there was no one that would know me. Flight hath failed me: and there is no one that hath regard to my soul.

I look to the right of me, and find none to take my part; all hope of escape is cut off from me, none is concerned for my safety.

Clamavi ad te, Domine; dixi: Tu es spes mea, portio mea in terra viventium.

I cried to thee, O Lord: I said: Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living.

To thee, Lord, I cry, claiming thee for my only refuge, all that is left me in this world of living men.

Intende ad deprecationem meam, quia humiliatus sum nimis. Libera me a persequentibus me, quia confortati sunt super me.

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

Listen, then, to my plea; thou seest me all defenceless. Rescue me from persecutors who are too strong for me; restore liberty to a captive soul.

Educ de custodia animam meam ad confitendum nomini tuo; me exspectant justi donec retribuas mihi.

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the just wait for me, until thou reward me.

What thanks, then, will I give to thy name, honest hearts all about me, rejoicing to see thy favour restored!