Psalm 142:1-5

A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.

1 ^[a][b]I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.

2 I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.

3 When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me.

4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.

5 I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

Psalm 142:1-5 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Cross References

• 1. S 1 Kings 8:52; Psalms 3:4
• 2. Psalms 30:8
• 3. Psalms 64:1; Isaiah 26:16
• 4. S Psalms 50:15
• 5. Psalms 6:2; Psalms 77:3; Psalms 84:2; Psalms 88:4; Psalms 140:5; Psalms 143:4,7; Jeremiah 8:18; Lamentations 1:22
• 6. Jeremiah 25:35
• 7. Psalms 31:11; Jeremiah 30:17
• 8. S Psalms 46:1
• 9. S Deuteronomy 32:9; Psalms 16:5
• 10. S Job 28:13; Psalms 27:13

Footnotes

• [a] In Hebrew texts 142:1-7 is numbered 142:2-8.
• [b] Title: Probably a literary or musical term