Psalms 142:5

5 I cry to thee, O LORD; I say, Thou art my refuge, 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 When my spirit is faint, thou knowest my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
4 I look to the right and watch, but there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me, no man cares for me.
5 I cry to thee, O LORD; I say, Thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.
6 Give heed to my cry; for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are too strong for me!
7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to thy name! The righteous will surround me; for thou wilt deal bountifully with me.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.