Psalm 142

 
Psalm 142
Israel Feeling Their Weakness, Are Totally Dependent on Jehovah
 
Psalm 142. This is a Psalm of David that was written, as the title suggests, when he was hiding from Saul in the cave Adullam. This Psalm describes the manner in which the soul, when in a time of deep distress, it made to cast itself completely on God in dependence. Prophetically, it looks forward to the day when Israel will face the second attack of the Assyrian (Gog and Magog), and will lean totally on Jehovah for deliverance.
 
PSALM 142
An instruction of David; when he was in the cave: a prayer.
1 I cry unto Jehovah with my voice: with my voice unto Jehovah do I make supplication.
2 I pour out my plaint before him; I shew before him my trouble.
 
vv.1-2 Pouring Out Supplication. The expressions of desperation rise higher in Psalm 142. It is now a supplication, which means to beg God for something. Here they beg God to deliver them.
 
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then “thou” knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they hidden a snare for me.
4 Look on the right hand and see; there is no man that knoweth me: refuge hath failed me; no man careth for my soul.
5 I cried unto thee, Jehovah; I said, Thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.
6 Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.
7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may celebrate thy name. The righteous shall surround me, because thou dealest bountifully with me.
 
vv.3-7 Confidence in Jehovah. When their spirit is overwhelmed, the faithful maintain confidence in Jehovah, that He knows their path and the dangers of it. They have no other refuge: “Look on the right hand and see; there is no man that knoweth me: refuge hath failed me; no man careth for my soul”. This causes the faithful to lean totally upon Jehovah. They speak of being brought very low, with their soul in prison. But faith causes them to anticipate deliverance!
 
Thou, Lord, our all must be;
Nothing that’s good have we,
Nothing apart from Thee,
Jesus, our Lord!1
 
  1. J.G. Deck. Jesus! That Name Is Love. Little Flock Hymnbook #109.