Salmos 142

1 Com a minha voz clamo ao Senhor; com a minha voz ao Senhor suplico.

2 Derramo perante ele a minha queixa; diante dele exponho a minha tribulação.

3 Quando dentro de mim esmorece o meu espírito, então tu conheces a minha vereda; no caminho em que eu ando ocultaram-me um laço.

4 Olha para a minha mão direita, e vê, pois não há quem me conheça; refúgio me faltou; ninguém se interessa por mim.

5 A ti, ó Senhor, clamei; eu disse: Tu és o meu refúgio, o meu quinhão na terra dos viventes.

6 Atende ao meu clamor, porque estou muito abatido; livra-me dos meus perseguidores, porque são mais fortes do que eu.

7 Tira-me da prisão, para que eu louve o teu nome; os justos me rodearão, pois me farás muito bem.

Salmos 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.