Psalms 142
Tap any word to open its Greek or Hebrew word and Strong’s lexicon entry right here, and any name to open its Bible Dictionary entry. Read this chapter with JFB commentary · Search the Bible
THY WORD IS TRUTH
The Law
History
Poetry & Wisdom
The Prophets
The Gospels & Acts
The Letters
Prophecy
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39
123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150
Psalms 142
I Cried Unto the LORD with My Voice
1I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
PSALM 142
Psa 142:1-7. Maschil--(See on Psa 32:1, title). When he was in the cave--either of Adullam (1Sa 22:1), or En-gedi (1Sa 24:3). This does not mean that the Psalm was composed in the cave, but that the precarious mode of life, of which his refuge in caves was a striking illustration, occasioned the complaint, which constitutes the first part of the Psalm and furnishes the reason for the prayer with which it concludes, and which, as the prominent characteristic, gives its name.
1. with my voice--audibly, because earnestly.
PSALM 142
Psa 142:1-7. Maschil--(See on Psa 32:1, title). When he was in the cave--either of Adullam (1Sa 22:1), or En-gedi (1Sa 24:3). This does not mean that the Psalm was composed in the cave, but that the precarious mode of life, of which his refuge in caves was a striking illustration, occasioned the complaint, which constitutes the first part of the Psalm and furnishes the reason for the prayer with which it concludes, and which, as the prominent characteristic, gives its name.
1. with my voice--audibly, because earnestly.
The Pulpit Commentary
I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. "With my voice" means aloud, and therefore earnestly and pressingly (comp. Psa_3:4; Psa_27:7; Psa_64:1; Psa_77:1; Psa_130:1, Psa_130:2, etc.).
I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. "With my voice" means aloud, and therefore earnestly and pressingly (comp. Psa_3:4; Psa_27:7; Psa_64:1; Psa_77:1; Psa_130:1, Psa_130:2, etc.).
2I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. (Compare Psa 62:8).
I poured out my complaint--or, "a sad musing."
2. (Compare Psa 62:8).
I poured out my complaint--or, "a sad musing."
The Pulpit Commentary
I poured out my complaint before him; I showed before him my trouble.
I poured out my complaint before him; I showed before him my trouble.
3When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. thou knewest ... path--The appeal is indicative of conscious innocence; knowest it to be right, and that my affliction is owing to the snares of enemies, and is not deserved (compare Psa 42:4; 61:2).
3. thou knewest ... path--The appeal is indicative of conscious innocence; knowest it to be right, and that my affliction is owing to the snares of enemies, and is not deserved (compare Psa 42:4; 61:2).
The Pulpit Commentary
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me; or, "fainted within me." Then thou knewest my path. I had not to tell thee because thou didst not know, but to relieve my own feelings. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me (comp. Psa_140:5; Psa_141:9,Psa_141:10).
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me; or, "fainted within me." Then thou knewest my path. I had not to tell thee because thou didst not know, but to relieve my own feelings. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me (comp. Psa_140:5; Psa_141:9,Psa_141:10).
4I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. Utter desolation is meant.
right hand--the place of a protector (Psa 110:5).
cared for--literally, "sought after," to do good.
4. Utter desolation is meant.
right hand--the place of a protector (Psa 110:5).
cared for--literally, "sought after," to do good.
The Pulpit Commentary
I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me. I looked about, i.e; for human aid, but there was no one who would so much as know me. I was utterly deserted in my trouble. Refuge failed me. I had nowhere to flee unto—no safe and sure abiding-place. The "cave of Adullam" was but a miserable spot to hide in. No man eared for my soul; or, "looked after my soul" (comp. Jer_30:17).
I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me. I looked about, i.e; for human aid, but there was no one who would so much as know me. I was utterly deserted in my trouble. Refuge failed me. I had nowhere to flee unto—no safe and sure abiding-place. The "cave of Adullam" was but a miserable spot to hide in. No man eared for my soul; or, "looked after my soul" (comp. Jer_30:17).
5I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. (Compare Psa 31:14; 62:7).
5. (Compare Psa 31:14; 62:7).
The Pulpit Commentary
I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my Refuge. When men's fathers and mothers forsake them, the Lord taketh them up (Psa_27:10). David looked to God as a sure Refuge at all times (Psa_9:9; Psa_18:1, Psa_18:2; Psa_57:1; Psa_59:9, Psa_59:16, Psa_59:17). And my Portion in the land of the living; or, "my inheritance" (comp. Psa_16:5; Psa_73:26).
I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my Refuge. When men's fathers and mothers forsake them, the Lord taketh them up (Psa_27:10). David looked to God as a sure Refuge at all times (Psa_9:9; Psa_18:1, Psa_18:2; Psa_57:1; Psa_59:9, Psa_59:16, Psa_59:17). And my Portion in the land of the living; or, "my inheritance" (comp. Psa_16:5; Psa_73:26).
6Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6. (Compare Psa 17:1).
6. (Compare Psa 17:1).
The Pulpit Commentary
Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low (comp. Psa_79:8; and see also Deu_28:43; Jdg_6:6; Psa_116:6). In the cave of Adullam David had but four hundred outlaws to defend him against Saul, who was at the head of all the thousands of Israel (1Sa_22:2). Deliver me from my persecutors. Saul, Doeg, the Ziphites, and the armed bands with whom Saul "hunted David in the mountains" (1Sa_26:20). For they are stronger than I; or, "too strong for me."
Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low (comp. Psa_79:8; and see also Deu_28:43; Jdg_6:6; Psa_116:6). In the cave of Adullam David had but four hundred outlaws to defend him against Saul, who was at the head of all the thousands of Israel (1Sa_22:2). Deliver me from my persecutors. Saul, Doeg, the Ziphites, and the armed bands with whom Saul "hunted David in the mountains" (1Sa_26:20). For they are stronger than I; or, "too strong for me."
7Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. (Compare Psa 25:17).
that I may praise--literally, "for praising," or, "that Thy name may be praised," that is, by the righteous, who shall surround me with sympathizing joy (Psa 35:27).
7. (Compare Psa 25:17).
that I may praise--literally, "for praising," or, "that Thy name may be praised," that is, by the righteous, who shall surround me with sympathizing joy (Psa 35:27).
The Pulpit Commentary
Bring my soul out of prison. The word "prison" is used symbolically, as a metaphor for trouble and distress (comp. Psa_88:8; Psa_107:10-14). That I may praise thy Name; or, "that men may praise thy Name." David's deliverance from his enemies would cause the godly generally to "praise the Lord." The righteous shall compass me about; rather, in me shall the righteous triumph (Kay, Cheyne). Viewing my cause as their own, they will glory in my deliverance (comp. Psa_35:27; Psa_40:16). For thou shalt deal bountifully with me; i.e. thou writ assuredly "hear my cry" and "deliver me" (see the preceding verse).
Bring my soul out of prison. The word "prison" is used symbolically, as a metaphor for trouble and distress (comp. Psa_88:8; Psa_107:10-14). That I may praise thy Name; or, "that men may praise thy Name." David's deliverance from his enemies would cause the godly generally to "praise the Lord." The righteous shall compass me about; rather, in me shall the righteous triumph (Kay, Cheyne). Viewing my cause as their own, they will glory in my deliverance (comp. Psa_35:27; Psa_40:16). For thou shalt deal bountifully with me; i.e. thou writ assuredly "hear my cry" and "deliver me" (see the preceding verse).
THE HOLY BIBLE
Psalms
Chapter 142
Translated out of the original tongues, and with the former translations diligently compared and revised.
KING JAMES VERSION
HOLY
BIBLE
BIBLE
KING JAMES VERSION
TAP THE BIBLE TO OPEN IT
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” — PSALM 119:105