Psalms 142:1-6

1 The sound of my cry went up to the Lord; with my voice I made my prayer for grace to the Lord.

2 I put all my sorrows before him; and made clear to him all my trouble.

3 When my spirit is overcome, your eyes are on my goings; nets have been secretly placed in the way in which I go.

4 Looking to my right side, I saw no man who was my friend: I had no safe place; no one had any care for my soul.

5 I have made my cry to you, O Lord; I have said, You are my safe place, and my heritage in the land of the living.

6 Give ear to my cry, for I am made very low: take me out of the hands of my haters, for they are stronger than I.

Psalms 142:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. Of the word "maschil," See Gill on "Ps 32:1," title. This psalm is called a prayer, as some others are, the ninetieth and hundred second psalms: and was composed by David when either in the cave of Adullam, 1 Samuel 22:1; or rather in the cave at Engedi, where he cut off Saul's skirt, 1 Samuel 24:3; as Jarchi and Kimchi think. The psalm represents the troubles of David, and of the Messiah his antitype, and is applicable to the church of God, or to any particular soul when in distress.