Psalms 142

Chapter Overview

What happens in Psalms 142

A maskil of David — a prayer when he was hiding in a cave, likely from Saul. David pours out his complaint because he feels completely alone and trapped.

Scripture

I Pour Out My Complaint

Study note

David cries aloud to the Lord and pours out his complaint. When his spirit grows faint, God knows his path. Traps are hidden along his way. He looks around and finds that no one cares about him.

1 I shout to the LORD at the top of my voice. I beg the LORD out loud for his mercy. I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.

2 I dump out all my complaints before him. I tell him every bit of my trouble. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

3 When my spirit feels too weak to go on, you still know exactly where I am headed. Along the road I walk, they have hidden a trap for me. When 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.

4 I look to my right and see that nobody stands up for me. There is nowhere to run for safety. Not a single person cares what happens to me. I 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.

You Are My Refuge

Study note

David cries to the Lord: 'You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.' He asks God to rescue him from those who pursue him. Set me free from my prison so I can praise your name. The righteous will gather around me when you are good to me.

5 I cry out to you, LORD, and say, 'You are my safe place. You are everything I have in this life.' I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

6 Pay attention to my cry, because I am completely worn down. Save me from the people chasing me, because they are stronger than I am. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

7 Set me free from this prison so I can thank your name. Good people will gather around me and celebrate, because you are so generous to me. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

Key Themes

Themes in Psalms 142

Pouring out your complaint from a caveFeeling trapped with no one who caresGod as the only refugeHonest desperation before God

Apply This Today

Living Psalms 142

David was hiding in a cave, alone and afraid, and He poured out everything to God. You do not need to have polished prayers. God welcomes your raw, unfiltered words. When no one else cares and every path is blocked, God is still your refuge. He has not abandoned you in your cave.

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