Psalm 142

1 Ein Maskil von David. Ein Gebet, als er in der Höhle war. Mit meiner Stimme schreie ich zu Jehova, mit meiner Stimme flehe ich zu Jehova.

2 Ich schütte meine Klage vor ihm aus, meine Bedrängnis tue ich vor ihm kund.

3 Als mein Geist in mir ermattete, da kanntest du meinen Pfad. Auf dem Wege, den ich wandelte, haben sie mir heimlich eine Schlinge gelegt.

4 Schaue zur Rechten, und sieh: ich habe ja niemand, der mich erkennt; verloren ist mir jede Zuflucht, niemand fragt nach meiner Seele.

5 Zu dir habe ich geschrieen, Jehova! Ich habe gesagt: Du bist meine Zuflucht, mein Teil im Lande der Lebendigen.

6 Horche auf mein Schreien, denn ich bin sehr elend; errette mich von meinen Verfolgern, denn sie sind mir zu mächtig!

7 Führe aus dem Gefängnis heraus meine Seele, damit ich deinen Namen preise! Die Gerechten werden mich umringen, wenn du mir wohlgetan hast.

Psalm 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.