Psalms 142:5

5 I cry to You, Lord; I say, "You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living."

Psalms 142:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 142:5

I cried unto thee, O Lord
Finding no help from man, he turns to the Lord, and directs his prayer to him in his distress; I said, thou [art] my refuge;
as he was, from all his enemies that were in pursuit of him, and from the storm of calamities he apprehended was coming upon him: and a refuge the Lord is to all his people in time of trouble; and where they always meet with sustenance, protection, and safety; he being a strong habitation, a strong hold, a strong refuge, to which they may resort at all times; and such is Christ to all sensible sinners that flee unto him, ( Hebrews 6:18 ) ; [and] my portion in the land of the living;
and a most excellent one he is, a large, immense, and inconceivable portion; he and all his perfections, purposes, promises, and blessings, being included in it; a soul-satisfying one, and which will never be taken away nor consumed; it is a portion in the present life; it will last as long as life lasts, and continues unto death, and at death, and for evermore, ( Psalms 73:26 ) .

Psalms 142:5 In-Context

3 Although my spirit is weak within me, You know my way. Along this path I travel they have hidden a trap for me.

4 Look to the right and see: no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me.

5 I cry to You, Lord; I say, "You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living."

6 Listen to my cry, for I am very weak. Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.

7 Free me from prison so that I can praise Your name. The righteous will gather around me because You deal generously with me.

Footnotes

• [a]. Ps 116:9; Isa 38:11