The Book of Psalms

Psalm 142

Psalm CXLII · Vol. II, p. 1076

David showeth that in his trouble all his comfort was in prayer unto God.

Margin referencesNotes ↓

Maschil of David;¹ A prayer when he was ^ain the cave.

1 I cried unto^b the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.

B.C. cir. 1058.

1 Or, A psalm of David, giving instruction, Ps.32. title.

a 1 Sa.22.1, or 24.3.

b Ex.14.15. Ps.55.1,2;77.1;130.1. He.5.7.

2 I^c poured out my complaint before him; I showed before him my trouble.

c Ps.62.8;102. title-10;6.1-4;88.1-18. Is.26.16;38.14.

3 When^d my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path: in the way wherein I walked ^ehave they privily laid a snare for me.

d Ps.143.1,4;61.2;22.14;102.4;1.6;17.3.

e Ps.140.5;141.9;56.6.

4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld,² but^g there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me;³ no man cared for my soul.⁴

2 Or, Look on the right hand and see.

g Ps.69.20;31.11;88.8,18. 2 Ti.4.16.

3 Heb. perished from me.

4 Heb. no man sought after my soul.

5 I^h cried⁵ unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and ⁱmy portion in the land of the living.

h Ps.31.14;46.1;91.2;9.4. 2 Ch.20.12.

5 Even so our Lord uttered his loud and solitary cry upon the cross, 'Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit,' Lu. 23. 46.—C.

i Ps.16.5;73.26;119.57;27.13;56.13. La.3.24.

6 Attend unto my cry; for ^jI am brought very low: ^kdeliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

j Ps.116.6;130.1;143.3,7;79.8.

A.M. cir. 2946. B.C. cir. 1058.

k Ps.7.1,5;38.19;31.15;119.86;18.16. 1 Sa.xxii.-xxiv. Ro.8.33,37.

7 Bring^l my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: ⁿthe righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt ^odeal bountifully with me.

l See title. Ps.146.7;130.1;88.4-7;69.1,2;143.11. Is.61.1.

n Ps.34.2;119.74;107.42;35.27;7.7.

o Ps.13.6;119.17;116.7;103.1-5.

Notes

Ver. 1. This is a specimen of those 'prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears,' which Christ offered up 'in the days of his flesh' to 'Him that was able to save him, and was heard in that he feared.' He. 5. 7. If any desire more evidence of Christ speaking in these words, let them examine Ps. xvi. xxxi. xxxiv. lxix., which various quotations in the New Testament have, by the Spirit, interpreted of him; and their parallelism with this psalm must equally assign it to Messiah. C.

Reflections.—Sore troubles ought to produce fervent prayers. They who have the God of all grace to flee to, may safely leave in his hand all their troubles. And when our consciences condemn us not, then have we confidence before him. We can never be brought so low but God can help us. If men forsake or disregard us, God, as our refuge and portion, will more than balance our want. If we are even fettered in the bands of corruption, temptation, or trouble, he can deliver us. And the mercies which our brethren enjoy should excite our praises, as members of the same body.