Psalms 142:2-7

2 I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him.

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

4 Look to the right and see:^[b] 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."^[c]

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

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

Psalms 142:2-7 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Ps 61:2; Jnh 2:7
• [b]. DSS, LXX, Syr, Vg, Tg read I look to the right and I see
• [c]. Ps 116:9; Isa 38:11
• [d]. Ps 17:1; 88:2; 2 Ch 6:19
• [e]. Ps 18:17; 2 Sm 22:18
• [f]. Ps 13:6; 116:7; 119:74