Hear My Cry and Supplication

Performance Notes:

• For performance notes on this song, see page 1091 of Psalms for All Seasons: A Complete Psalter for Worship.
• The following article is from the Psalter Hymnal Handbook.

Text Information:

A prayer for deliverance from powerful enemies.

Scripture References:
st. 1 = vv. 1-3a
st. 2 = vv. 3b-4
st. 3 = vv. 5-6
st. 4 = v. 7

Traditionally this prayer for deliverance from enemies is ascribed to David "when he was in the cave" (see also 57). Alone, imprisoned in a desperate situation caused by powerful enemies, the psalmist appeals to God to hear his cry and to lead him when he grows faint (st. 1). No one comes to his rescue (st. 2); the LORD is his only refuge (st. 3). Then the psalmist declares that he will praise the LORD for deliverance from this tribulation and that the righteous will join in the rejoicing (st. 4). Clarence P. Walhout versified Psalm 142 in 1982 for the Psalter Hymnal.

Liturgical Use:
Whenever Christians find themselves or the church at the mercy of forces hostile to the kingdom of God.

Other Resources:

• Visit hymnary.org for more information on this song and additional resources.
• The following are alternative accompaniments for this tune, RESTORATION/ARISE

Alternative Harmonization for Organ and Descant Resources:

• Busarow, Donald. Thirty More Accompaniments for Hymns in Canon. Augsburg 11-10163 [1992]