Bible Commentaries
Psalms 142

Verses 1-7

Psalms 142

A Never-Failing Refuge

Scripture v. 1-7:

This is a prayer of David from a cave, perhaps the cave of Adullam when he fled from Saul. Yet the prayer is suited to God’s people, when they are in any dark, cave-like trials and afflictions, 1 Samuel 22:1; Hebrews 11:38.

Verse 1 recounts, "1 cried unto the Lord with my voice;" with a vocal utterance. What David did he would have all believers do when in any trouble, Psalms 3:4. He added, "With my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication," or earnest appeal, Psalms 30:8.

Verse 2 asserts, "I poured out (emptied) my complaint before him; I showed (uncovered) before him my trouble," believing that He would come to his rescue, Psalms 62:8; Isaiah 26:16.

Verse 3 continues, "when my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path;" When in his deepest depression of spirit, caused by his perilous condition of betrayal by those he had trusted, he was convicted that God knew all about and cared, even when men did not, v. 4; Psalms 1:6; Psalms 31:7. He added, "In the way wherein I walked, have they privily (privately) laid a snare for me," to destroy him, tho he was God’s anointed, Psalms 140:5; Psalms 141:9; Psalms 143:8.

Verse 4 relates, "I looked (intently, earnestly) on my right hand (for help), and beheld, but there was no man that would know (recognize) me," to offer any refuge or help, none to interpose, Psalms 121:5; Psalms 22:8; Psalms 16:8; Psalms 109:31; Job 19:13-14; He added, "refuge failed me, no man cared for my soul," Jeremiah 25:35; Amos 2:14; See also Psalms 59:16; Deuteronomy 11:12; Proverbs 29:10. But the Lord had been his refuge through it all. This is his basis of praise to the Lord.

Verse 5 confides, "I cried unto thee, O Lord; I said, thou art my refuge and my portion (for I have none other to trust) in the land of the living," as related Psalms 52:5; Psalms 27:13; Psalms 16:5; Psalms 73:26; La 3:24.

Verse 6 appeals "attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low," poor, greatly impoverished, distressed, even as Israel shall yet be in the latter days, Psalms 79:8; Psalms 116:6; Judges 6:6. He continues, "deliver me from my persecutors, (Psalms 7:1) for they are stronger than I," but not than you, O Lord, is the import of his testimony, Psalms 105:24; Luke 11:22; 1 Corinthians 1:25; Jeremiah 31:11; Psalms 18:17.

Verse 7 concludes, "Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name," meaning out of trouble, Psalms 143:11; Psalms 25:17; The Lord will hear this prayer„because "The Lord looseth the prisoners," Psalms 146:7; Psalms 102:10. As Joseph was brought out of prison to serve the Lord, so shall Israel, Psalms 105:17-22. It is added, "The righteous shall compass (encircle) me about;" flock around me at my deliverance, for my liberty is theirs, Psalms 22:22; Psalms 40:16; Psalms 35:27; See also Psalms 7:6-7; Psalms 107:41-42; It is witnessed "Thou shaft deal bountifully with ms," in answer to my prayer, as also asserted Psalms 13:6; Psalms 116:7; Psalms 119:17; James 5:11. He is a safe refuge, Psalms 46:1.