Psalms 142:1

1 A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. I cry with my voice to the LORD, with my voice I make supplication to the LORD,

Psalms 142:1 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 142:1

I cried unto the Lord with my voice
With the voice of his soul, in the language of his mind, mentally, as Moses and Hannah cried unto the Lord when no voice was heard, or articulate sounds expressed, since this prayer was put up to the Lord in the cave where Saul was; though it might have been delivered before he came into it, while he and his men were at the mouth of it, which threw David into this distress; besides the cave was so large as to hold David and his six hundred men without being seen by Saul, and who could discourse together, as David and his men did, without being heard by Saul while he was in it; and so this psalm or prayer might be spoken vocally, though he was there; with my voice unto the Lord did I make, my supplication:
the same thing in other words; "crying" is explained by making "supplication", which is praying to the Lord in an humble manner for grace and mercy, and not pleading merit and worthiness.

Psalms 142:1 In-Context

1 A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. I cry with my voice to the LORD, with my voice I make supplication to the LORD,
2 I pour out my complaint before him, I tell my trouble before him.
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.
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.