Psalms 142

This is a prayer of David, written when he was hiding in a cave and hunted by enemies. He is alone, weak and trapped, and he has nowhere to turn but to God. The psalm moves from open complaint to bold trust, and ends with hope of deliverance and praise among God’s people.

Psalms 142:1

David prays out loud and with all his strength. He does not ask because he has earned an answer, but for mercy. He goes straight to the LORD, the faithful covenant God, because he has no one else to cry to.

BSA: mercy (“grace, loving-kindness, undeserved favor”): David asks for a gift he cannot earn, and rests on God’s kindness alone. LORD (“Yehovah, the covenant God”): He prays to the God who has bound Himself by promise to His people.

Hebrew: אֶזְעָק (ezʿaq, H2199) — “I cry out.” This is the cry of someone in great need who calls for help. It is not a polite prayer but a plea from the depths.

See also: Psalm 3:4.

Psalms 142:2

David holds nothing back. He pours out his complaint like water from a jar and lays his trouble open before God. Honest prayer is welcome. God does not need a polished speech, only a trusting heart.

BSA: pour out (“express, declare”): He tells God everything, emptying himself of what weighs on him.

Hebrew: אֶשְׁפֹּךְ (ʾešpōkh, H8210) — “I pour out.” The word is used for pouring out liquid. David pictures his whole heart running out before God until nothing is held back.

See also: Psalm 62:8; 1 Peter 5:7.

Psalms 142:3

When David’s spirit is nearly crushed, he finds comfort in this: God knows his way. He sees the hidden trap that David cannot see. God knows our path, including the dangers we do not notice.

BSA: grows faint (“is overwhelmed, utterly discouraged”): His strength is draining away and he feels he can go no further. snare (“trap, pitfall”): The danger is hidden and deliberate, set by enemies who work in secret.

See also: Psalm 139:1-3; Psalm 143:4.

Psalms 142:4

David looks for a helper standing at his right side, the place of a defender, and finds no one. He feels forgotten and unprotected. Even our Lord knew such desertion. Yet the loneliest hour can drive us to God.

BSA: cares for (“has concern for my life, my well-being”): No one is asking after him or looking out for his life. refuge (“safe place, shelter”): He has no place to run to where he would be safe from his enemies.

See also: 2 Timothy 4:16-17; Psalm 22:11.

Psalms 142:5

The turning point. Having found no refuge among people, David names God as his refuge. He calls Him his portion, meaning his share and inheritance, and not only in the life to come but here in the land of the living. God is enough when all else is gone.

BSA: portion (“inheritance, my share”): God Himself is David’s inheritance, which is more than land or goods. refuge (“my safe place, my shelter”): What David lacked from people he now claims in God.

See also: Psalm 16:5; Psalm 73:26; Lamentations 3:24.

Psalms 142:6

David returns to plain petition. He admits he is very low and that his pursuers are stronger than he is. He does not pretend to be strong. His weakness is the very reason he asks God to act, because only God is stronger than his enemies.

BSA: brought quite low (“very low, to a desperate state”): He is at the end of his own resources and says so. pursuers (“persecutors, those who are after me”): These are enemies actively hunting him, not mere critics.

See also: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Psalms 142:7

David asks to be brought out of the prison, whether a literal cave or the trap of his troubles, so that he may praise God’s name. He looks past his rescue to thanksgiving. The righteous will gather around him, rejoicing in the goodness God has shown him.

BSA: prison (“captivity, bondage”): He feels shut in and held, and he longs for open space and freedom. goodness (“bounty, kindness”): God’s generous dealing with David is the reason others will gather and rejoice.

Hebrew: יַכְתִּרוּ (yakhtirû, H3803) — “will surround, will crown.” The word can mean to encircle. The picture is of God’s people closing around David in fellowship, where he had been alone.

See also: Psalm 34:2-3; Psalm 116:12-14.