A Cry from the Cave
Psalms 141
Composed while David was in the cave, this prayer describes him pouring out his complaint before the Lord when his spirit was fainting and no one on earth cared for his soul, and he cries to the Lord as his only refuge, asking to be delivered from his persecutors and brought out of prison to give thanks.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomson—
BrentonA Psalm of instruction for David, when he was in the cave,—a Prayer.
GreekΣυνέσεως τῷ Δαυὶδ, ἐν τῷ εἶναι αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ σπηλαίῳ, προσευχή.
KJV—
JPSMaschil of David, when he was in the cave; a Prayer.
2
ThomsonWITH my voice I cried to the Lord—to the Lord I made supplication with my voice.
BrentonI cried to the Lord with my voice; with my voice I made supplication to the Lord.
GreekΦωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐκέκραξα, φωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐδεήθην.
KJVI cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
JPSWith my voice I cry unto the LORD; With my voice I make supplication unto the LORD.
3
ThomsonBefore Him I pour out my prayer: before Him I will declare my affliction.
BrentonI will pour out before him my supplication: I will declare before him mine affliction.
GreekἘκχεῶ ἐναντίον αὐτοῦ τὴν δέησίν μου, τὴν θλίψιν μου ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ ἀπαγγελῶ.
KJVI poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
JPSI pour out my complaint before Him, I declare before Him my trouble;
4
ThomsonWhen my spirit fainted Thou knewest my paths. In the way I was going they hid a snare for me.
BrentonWhen my spirit was fainting within me, then thou knewest my paths; in the very way wherein I was walking, they hid a snare for me.
GreekἘν τῷ ἐκλείπειν ἐξ ἐμοῦ τὸ πνεῦμά μου, καὶ σὺ ἔγνως τὰς τρίβους μου· ἐν ὁδῷ ταύτῃ ᾗ ἐπορευόμην, ἔκρυψαν παγίδα μοι.
KJVWhen my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
JPSWhen my spirit fainteth within me— Thou knowest my path— In the way wherein I walk Have they hidden a snare for me.
5
ThomsonI looked to the right; and observed that none was there, who knew me. Flight was cut off from me; and is he not earnestly seeking my life?
BrentonI looked on my right hand, and behold, for there was none that noticed me; refuge failed me; and there was none that cared for my soul.
GreekΚατενόουν εἰς τὰ δεξιὰ καὶ ἐπέβλεπον, ὅτι οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἐπιγινώσκων με· ἀπώλετο φυγὴ ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἐκζητῶν τὴν ψυχήν μου.
KJVI looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
JPSLook on my right hand, and see, For there is no man that knoweth me; I have no way to flee; No man careth for my soul.
6
ThomsonTo Thee, O Lord, I cried and said, Thou art my hope—my portion in the land of the living.
BrentonI cried unto thee, O Lord, and said, Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living.
GreekΠρὸς σὲ, Κύριε, ἐκέραξα, καὶ εἶπα, σὺ εἶ ἡ ἐλπίς μου, μερίς μου ἐν γῇ ζώντων.
KJVI cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
JPSI have cried unto Thee, O LORD; I have said: 'Thou art my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.'
7
ThomsonAttend to my supplication; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
BrentonAttend to my supplication, for I am brought very low; deliver me from them that persecute me; for they are stronger than I.
GreekΠρόσχες πρὸς τὴν δέησίν μου, ὅτι ἐταπεινώθην σφόδρα· ῥῦσαί με ἐκ τῶν καταδιωκόντων με, ὅτι ἐκραταιώθησαν ὑπὲρ ἐμέ.
KJVAttend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
JPSAttend unto my cry; For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors; For they are too strong for me.
8
ThomsonBring my soul out of prison, that I may adore Thy name, O Lord. Let the righteous wait for me, till Thou shalt reward me.
BrentonBring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks to thy name, O Lord; the righteous shall wait for me, until thou recompense me.
GreekἘξάγαγε ἐκ φυλακῆς τὴν ψυχήν μου, τοῦ ἐξομολογήσασθαι τῷ ὀνόματί σου, Κύριε· ἐμὲ ὑπομενοῦσι δίκαιοι, ἕως οὗ ἀνταποδῷς μοι.
KJVBring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
JPSBring my soul out of prison, That I may give thanks unto Thy name; The righteous shall crown themselves because of me; For Thou wilt deal bountifully with me.