Psalms 142

1 psalmus David quando filius eum persequebatur Domine exaudi orationem meam auribus percipe obsecrationem meam in veritate tua exaudi me in tua iustitia
2 et non intres in iudicio cum servo tuo quia non iustificabitur in conspectu tuo omnis vivens
3 quia persecutus est inimicus animam meam humiliavit in terra vitam meam conlocavit me in obscuris sicut mortuos saeculi
4 et anxiatus est super me spiritus meus in me turbatum est cor meum
5 memor fui dierum antiquorum meditatus sum in omnibus operibus tuis in factis manuum tuarum meditabar
6 expandi manus meas ad te anima mea sicut terra sine aqua tibi diapsalma
7 velociter exaudi me Domine defecit spiritus meus non avertas faciem tuam a me et similis ero descendentibus in lacum
8 auditam mihi fac mane misericordiam tuam quia in te speravi notam fac mihi viam in qua ambulem quia ad te levavi animam meam
9 eripe me de inimicis meis Domine ad te confugi
10 doce me facere voluntatem tuam quia Deus meus es tu spiritus tuus bonus deducet me in terra recta
11 propter nomen tuum Domine vivificabis me in aequitate tua educes de tribulatione animam meam
12 et in misericordia tua disperdes inimicos meos et perdes omnes qui tribulant animam meam quoniam ego servus tuus sum

Psalms 142 Commentary

Chapter 142

David's comfort in prayer.

- There can be no situation so distressing or dangerous, in which faith will not get comfort from God by prayer. We are apt to show our troubles too much to ourselves, poring upon them, which does us no service; whereas, by showing them to God, we might cast the cares upon him who careth for us, and thereby ease ourselves. Nor should we allow any complaint to ourselves or others, which we cannot make to God. When our spirits are overwhelmed by distress, and filled with discouragement; when we see snares laid for us on every side, while we walk in his way, we may reflect with comfort that the Lord knoweth our path. Those who in sincerity take the Lord for their God, find him all-sufficient, as a Refuge, and as a Portion: every thing else is a refuge of lies, and a portion of no value. In this situation David prayed earnestly to God. We may apply it spiritually; the souls of believers are often straitened by doubts and fears. And it is then their duty and interest to beg of God to set them at liberty, that they may run the way of his commandments. Thus the Lord delivered David from his powerful persecutors, and dealt bountifully with him. Thus he raised the crucified Redeemer to the throne of glory, and made him Head over all things for his church. Thus the convinced sinner cries for help, and is brought to praise the Lord in the company of his redeemed people; and thus all believers will at length be delivered from this evil world, from sin and death, and praise their Saviour for ever.

Chapter Summary

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.

Psalms 142 Commentaries

The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.