Bible Commentaries
Psalms 142

Verses 1-2

1. David’s desperate cry to Yahweh 142:1-2

The psalmist spoke as though he was telling others how he had prayed on this occasion. He prayed audibly, probably out of a desire that God would surely hear him. He poured out what distressed him to God, like one pours water out of a pot, namely: completely.

Verses 1-7

Psalms 142

The superscription identifies the time when David wrote this psalm. He wrote it when he was "in the cave," evidently while Saul was pursuing him (cf. Psalms 57; 1 Samuel 22:1; 1 Samuel 24:3). The psalmist spoke as one who had no other hope of deliverance but Yahweh. This is another individual lament psalm.

Verses 3-4

2. David’s lament of his condition 142:3-4

Even when David could not see his way clearly, God knew what course he should take to reach safety. It seemed to the psalmist that the path he took was one that his enemy had booby-trapped. Evidently if David had had a human defender, that person would have been standing at his right hand, but no one was there. He felt totally forsaken by all other people, and without God’s help, escape was impossible.

Verse 5

When David had prayed to the Lord, he had expressed confidence that the Lord would defend him. God was his portion or allotment-all that he had.

Verses 5-7

3. David’s confident hope in God 142:5-7

Verses 6-7

Again the psalmist begged God to help him escape from his overpowering enemies. He felt imprisoned, with no escape possible if God failed to save him. If God did deliver him he would thank the Lord, and other godly people would join David in his praise because of God’s abundant goodness.

When God’s people feel forsaken by all other human allies, they may turn to the Lord-who is always with the righteous. God is able to deliver His own, even if there are no other helpers. [Note: See R. B. Allen, And I . . ., pp. 181-97.]

"No matter the circumstances around us or the feelings within us, God cares for us (1 Peter 5:7)." [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 372.]