Hear, O Lord, my prayer: give ear to my supplication 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 brought down my life to the earth.
He hath made me to dwell in darkness as those that have been dead of old: and my spirit is in anguish within me: my heart within me is troubled.
I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all Thy works: I meditated upon the words of Thy hands.
I stretched forth my hands to Thee: my soul is as earth without water unto Thee.
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 in Thee have I hoped.
Make the way known to me, wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to Thee.
Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, to Thee have I fled: teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God.
Thy good spirit shall lead me into the right land: for thy Name’s sake, O Lord, Thou wilt quicken me in Thy justice.
Thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble: and in Thy mercy Thou wilt destroy my enemies.
And Thou wilt cut of all them that afflict my soul: for I am Thy servant.
Glory be…
The timeline of Psalm 142 (the Seventh Penitential Psalm)
Psalm 142 is also known as the Seventh Penitential Psalm and is a prayer that is used in the Catholic church as a way of expressing repentance and seeking forgiveness from God.
The psalm is believed to have been written by King David when he was fleeing from his enemies and seeking refuge in a cave. In the psalm, David cries out to God for help, acknowledging his own sins and weaknesses.
Over time, Psalm 142 became part of the Catholic tradition, and it is often used during the season of Lent as a way of reflecting on one’s sins and seeking forgiveness from God.
The Seventh Penitential Psalm is also sometimes used during the Sacrament of Reconciliation, when Catholics confess their sins to a priest and seek absolution from God.
In addition to its use as a prayer of penance, Psalm 142 is also a reminder of God’s mercy and compassion. The psalmist acknowledges his own sinfulness, but also trusts in God’s ability to forgive and restore him.
Overall, Psalm 142 is a powerful prayer that continues to be an important part of the Catholic tradition, reminding believers of the need for repentance, forgiveness, and trust in God’s mercy.