Psalms 142:1-6

1 I call to the Lord for help; I plead with him.

2 I bring him all my complaints; I tell him all my troubles.

3 When I am ready to give up, he knows what I should do. In the path where I walk, my enemies have hidden a trap for me.

4 When I look beside me, I see that there is no one to help me, no one to protect me. No one cares for me.

5 Lord, I cry to you for help; you, Lord, are my protector; you are all I want in this life.

6 Listen to my cry for help, for I am sunk in despair. Save me from my enemies; they are too strong for me.

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.