Psalm 142 is a lament Psalm dealing with despair, facing loss, and have emotions that bring no hope in life. The “cave” referred to in the heading is probably that of Adullam to which David retired when obliged to leave the land of Achish the Philistine. This is the last of the thirteen “maskil” or didactic psalms. It has two divisions: (1) the psalmist’s desperate condition (vv. 1–4); and (2) his determined confidence (vv. 5–7).
1–2. David resolves to seek relief by laying his distress before Yahweh. He will cry “aloud,” not merely in silent prayer. Such vocalization of distress gives relief to pent up feelings and expression of the intensity of the distress.
3–4. Yahweh knows David’s peril and loneliness, even if he has no human sympathizers. David’s spirit faints within him. He is in despair, but his comfort is that Yahweh knows the course which he must take, and the perils which beset him from treacherous enemies. On his right hand, where any protector would be standing, there is no one to take up his cause.
5–6. In the past David had cried out to God. He still continues to do so. God is his “refuge” and “portion” in the land of the living. He is confident that he will not die but live to declare the words of the Lord.
7. He now has been brought low. His persecutors were stronger than he. He is imprisoned, as it were, in distress. He prays that he may be released from that prison. Then he will praise Yahweh’s name. Then the righteous—the loyal worshipers of Yahweh—will gather round him to share in his thanksgivings. He is confident that God will deal most bountifully with him. And I love how the Psalm ends with the goodness of God even in despair. God is good and that is all I know many times.
1–2. David resolves to seek relief by laying his distress before Yahweh. He will cry “aloud,” not merely in silent prayer. Such vocalization of distress gives relief to pent up feelings and expression of the intensity of the distress.
3–4. Yahweh knows David’s peril and loneliness, even if he has no human sympathizers. David’s spirit faints within him. He is in despair, but his comfort is that Yahweh knows the course which he must take, and the perils which beset him from treacherous enemies. On his right hand, where any protector would be standing, there is no one to take up his cause.
5–6. In the past David had cried out to God. He still continues to do so. God is his “refuge” and “portion” in the land of the living. He is confident that he will not die but live to declare the words of the Lord.
7. He now has been brought low. His persecutors were stronger than he. He is imprisoned, as it were, in distress. He prays that he may be released from that prison. Then he will praise Yahweh’s name. Then the righteous—the loyal worshipers of Yahweh—will gather round him to share in his thanksgivings. He is confident that God will deal most bountifully with him. And I love how the Psalm ends with the goodness of God even in despair. God is good and that is all I know many times.
RSS Feed