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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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;

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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