Psalms 142:4
Psalms 142:4 in Multiple Translations
Look to my right and see; no one attends to me. There is no refuge for me; no one cares for my soul.
I 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.
Look on my right hand, and see; For there is no man that knoweth me: Refuge hath failed me; No man careth for my soul.
Looking to my right side, I saw no man who was my friend: I had no safe place; no one had any care for my soul.
I look to my right for someone to support me—but no one pays me any attention. There's no safe place for me—no one cares about me at all.
I looked vpon my right hand, and beheld, but there was none that would knowe me: all refuge failed me, and none cared for my soule.
Looking on the right hand — and seeing, And I have none recognizing; Perished hath refuge from me, There is none inquiring for my soul.
Look on my right, and see; for there is no one who is concerned for me. Refuge has fled from me. No one cares for my soul.
I 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.
And my spirit is in anguish within me: my heart within me is troubled.
I look around, but there is no one who pays attention to me, no one who will protect me, no one who cares about what happens to me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 142:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 142:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּ/הִתְעַטֵּ֬ף
עָלַ֨/י
רוּחִ֗/י
וְ/אַתָּה֮
יָדַ֪עְתָּ
נְֽתִיבָ֫תִ֥/י
בְּ/אֹֽרַח
ז֥וּ
אֲהַלֵּ֑ךְ
טָמְנ֖וּ
פַ֣ח
לִֽ/י
בְּ/הִתְעַטֵּ֬ף
ʻâṭaph
H5848
to turn aside
Prep | V-Hithpael-Inf-a
עָלַ֨/י
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
רוּחִ֗/י
rûwach
H7307
spirit
N-cs | Suff
וְ/אַתָּה֮
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Conj | Pron
יָדַ֪עְתָּ
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
נְֽתִיבָ֫תִ֥/י
nâthîyb
H5410
path
N-cs | Suff
בְּ/אֹֽרַח
ʼôrach
H734
way
Prep | N-cs
ז֥וּ
zûw
H2098
this
Rel
אֲהַלֵּ֑ךְ
hâlak
H1980
to go
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs
טָמְנ֖וּ
ṭâman
H2934
to hide
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
פַ֣ח
pach
H6341
snare
N-ms
לִֽ/י
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 142:4
בְּ/הִתְעַטֵּ֬ף
ʻâṭaph
H5848
"to turn aside"
Prep | V-Hithpael-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to feel weak or faint, like when someone is overwhelmed and can't cope. It appears in the Bible when people are struggling, like in Psalm 61:2. The word also means to be covered or hidden.
Definition: 1) to turn aside 1a) (Qal) to turn aside, turn (in order to cover)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: cover (over), fail, faint, feebler, hide self, be overwhelmed, swoon. See also: Genesis 30:42; Psalms 107:5; Psalms 61:3.
עָלַ֨/י
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
רוּחִ֗/י
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
וְ/אַתָּה֮
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Conj | Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
יָדַ֪עְתָּ
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
נְֽתִיבָ֫תִ֥/י
nâthîyb
H5410
"path"
N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a path or road that people walk on, like a beaten track. It appears in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah, referring to a traveler's journey. The word is used to describe a way or pathway.
Definition: 1) trodden with the feet, path, pathway 2) path, pathway, traveller
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: path(-way), [idiom] travel(-ler), way. See also: Judges 5:6; Proverbs 3:17; Psalms 78:50.
בְּ/אֹֽרַח
ʼôrach
H734
"way"
Prep | N-cs
A way or path, describing a road or journey, whether physical or metaphorical. This term is used to talk about travel, direction, and life's journey, often in wisdom literature and prophetic writings. It is found in books like Proverbs and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) way, path 1a) path, road 1b) the path, way, passing of life (fig.) 1c) way of living (fig.) 1d) traveller, wayfarer (meton) Aramaic equivalent: o.rach (אֹ֫רַח "way" H0735)
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: manner, path, race, rank, traveller, troop, (by-, high-) way. See also: Genesis 18:11; Proverbs 1:19; Psalms 8:9.
ז֥וּ
zûw
H2098
"this"
Rel
Similar to H2097, this word is used to identify something, as in Exodus 32:1 where the people say 'this is your god'. It's a way of saying 'this' or 'that', often to point out a specific thing or person.
Definition: demons pron 1) this, such rel pron 2) (of) which, (of) whom
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: that, this, [idiom] wherein, which, whom. See also: Exodus 15:13; Psalms 32:8; Psalms 9:16.
אֲהַלֵּ֑ךְ
hâlak
H1980
"to go"
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Definition: : walk/move 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to walk 1b2) to walk (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to traverse 1c2) to walk about 1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 473 OT verses. KJV: (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. See also: Genesis 2:14; Judges 4:9; 1 Kings 13:12.
טָמְנ֖וּ
ṭâman
H2934
"to hide"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
In the Bible, this word means to hide or conceal something, often secretly, as in Joshua. It can also mean to bury or lay something aside, out of sight or knowledge.
Definition: 1) to hide, conceal, bury 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hide 1a2) hiding, concealing, secretly laying (participle) 1a3) darkness (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to hide oneself 1c) (Hiphil) to hide
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: hide, lay privily, in secret. See also: Genesis 35:4; Psalms 35:7; Psalms 9:16.
פַ֣ח
pach
H6341
"snare"
N-ms
This word refers to a thin, flat piece of metal, like a plate. It can also describe a net used for catching animals, spread out like a thin sheet of metal.
Definition: 1) bird trap, trap, snare 1a) bird trap (literal) 1b) of calamities, plots, source or agent of calamity (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: gin, (thin) plate, snare. See also: Exodus 39:3; Psalms 142:4; Psalms 11:6.
לִֽ/י
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Psalms 142:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 142:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 142:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 142:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 142:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 142:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 142:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 142:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 142:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 142:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 142:4
- Sermons on Psalms 142:4
Context — I Lift My Voice to the LORD
2I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him.
3Although my spirit grows faint within me, You know my way. Along the path I travel they have hidden a snare for me.
4Look to my right and see; no one attends to me. There is no refuge for me; no one cares for my soul.
5I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” 6Listen to my cry, for I am brought quite low. Rescue me from my pursuers, for they are too strong for me.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 30:17 | But I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD, because they call you an outcast, Zion, for whom no one cares.” |
| 2 | Psalms 88:18 | You have removed my beloved and my friend; darkness is my closest companion. |
| 3 | Psalms 31:11 | Among all my enemies I am a disgrace, and among my neighbors even more. I am dreaded by my friends— they flee when they see me on the street. |
| 4 | Job 19:13–19 | He has removed my brothers from me; my acquaintances have abandoned me. My kinsmen have failed me, and my friends have forgotten me. My guests and maidservants count me as a stranger; I am a foreigner in their sight. I call for my servant, but he does not answer, though I implore him with my own mouth. My breath is repulsive to my wife, and I am loathsome to my own family. Even little boys scorn me; when I appear, they deride me. All my best friends despise me, and those I love have turned against me. |
| 5 | Matthew 26:56 | But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled. |
| 6 | 2 Timothy 4:16 | At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them. |
| 7 | Psalms 88:8 | You have removed my friends from me; You have made me repulsive to them; I am confined and cannot escape. |
| 8 | Psalms 69:20 | Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found no one. |
| 9 | 1 Samuel 23:11–13 | Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, please tell Your servant.” “He will,” said the LORD. So David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” “They will,” said the LORD. Then David and his men, about six hundred strong, set out and departed from Keilah, moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he declined to go forth. |
| 10 | 1 Samuel 23:19–20 | Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon? Now, O king, come down whenever your soul desires, and we will be responsible for delivering him into your hand.” |
Psalms 142:4 Summary
[The psalmist is feeling very alone and like no one cares for them, but we know that God is always with us and cares for us, as seen in Psalms 46:1 and Matthew 28:20. Even when it feels like we have no one to turn to, we can always turn to God and trust in His love and goodness, just like the psalmist does in Psalms 142:5. We can remind ourselves that God is our rock and our refuge, and that He will never leave us or forsake us, as stated in Hebrews 13:5.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the psalmist mean by 'no one attends to me' in Psalms 142:4?
The psalmist is expressing a deep sense of loneliness and isolation, feeling that there is no one who truly understands or cares for their well-being, much like the prophet Elijah felt in 1 Kings 19:10 when he thought he was the only one left serving God.
Is it wrong to feel like we have no refuge or no one to care for our soul?
No, it's not wrong to feel this way, as even the psalmist, a man after God's own heart, expressed such feelings in Psalms 142:4, but we must remember that God is always our refuge, as stated in Psalms 46:1 and 91:2.
How can we reconcile the feeling of having no one to care for us with the fact that God cares for us?
Although it may feel like no human cares for us, we must remember that God is our ultimate caregiver, as seen in Matthew 10:30 where it says He cares for the hairs on our head, and in 1 Peter 5:7 where it says we can cast all our cares on Him.
What should we do when we feel like we have no refuge or no one to care for our soul?
We should cry out to God, just like the psalmist does in Psalms 142:5, and trust in His goodness and love, remembering that He is our portion in the land of the living, as stated in Psalms 142:5, and our rock in times of trouble, as stated in Psalms 18:2.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do you feel isolated or alone, and how can you bring these feelings before God in prayer?
- What are some ways you can remind yourself that God is your ultimate refuge and caregiver when you feel like you have no one to care for you?
- How can you balance the feeling of having no human refuge with the truth that God is always with you and cares for you?
- In what ways can you apply the truth of God's care and refuge to your life, especially in times of trouble or loneliness?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 142:4
I looked on [my] right hand, and beheld,.... On the left, so Kimchi supplies it, and after him Piscator; he looked about him every way to the right and left, to see if he could get any help, or find out any way of deliverance.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 142:4
I 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. I looked on (my) right hand, and beheld, but (there was) no man that would know me.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 142:4
Right hand; the place where the patron or assistant used to stand. See 109:31 121:5. No man, to wit, in Saul’ s court or camp; none of my former acquaintance, and friends. and relations. Know me; own me, or show any respect or kindness to me. For my soul; or, for my life, to wit, to preserve it; but they all conspired to take it away; which is here implied.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 142:4
Psalms 142:4 I 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.Ver. 4. I looked on my right hand] Not a man would appear for me. Aφιλοντοδυστυχες, misery is friendless for the most part. See 2 Timothy 4:16. Nulla fides unquam miseros delegit amicos.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 142:4
(4) I looked.—The Authorised Version follows the ancient versions in turning the Hebrew imperatives into historic tenses. But they are easily intelligible if taken rhetorically, and indeed the psalm loses in liveliness by missing them: “On the path by which I must walk they have laid a trap for me; Look to the right and see, Not a friend is in sight. Failed has refuge from me, There is none who careth for my soul.” To the “right,” because according to the regular Hebrew metaphor it was on the “right hand” that the protector would stand. (See Note Psalms 16:8, &c; and comp. Psalms 109:6; Psalms 109:31; Psalms 110:5; Psalms 121:5.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 142:4
Verse 4. There was no man, that would know me] This has been applied to the time in which our Lord was deserted by his disciples. As to the case of David in the cave of En-gedi, he had no refuge: for what were the handful of men that were with him to Saul and his army?
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 142:4
4. The Massoretic text reads the imperative look … and see. The rendering of P.B.V. and A.V. I looked … and saw (beheld) follows the LXX, Vulg., Syr., and Targ., but requires a change in the vocalisation of the Hebrew words. The indicative I looked is the more obvious reading; but the appeal to Jehovah, look! is more forcible. Cp. Lamentations 1:11; Lamentations 2:20; Lamentations 5:1. on my right hand] Where his protector would be standing if he had one. Cp. Psalms 16:8; Psalms 109:31; Psalms 110:5; Psalms 121:5. But there is no one to acknowledge him as his client (Rth 2:10; Rth 2:19) and defend him.
He has no asylum left: lit. a place of flight is perished from me. Cp. Job 11:20; Jeremiah 25:35; Amos 2:14. With the last clause cp. Jeremiah 30:17, “Yonder is Zion, who hath none to care for her.”
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 142:4
I looked on my right hand, and beheld - Margin, “Look on the right hand and see The words translated “looked” and “beheld” are in the imperative mood in the Hebrew. They are not, however, improperly rendered as to the sense.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 142:4
4. On my right hand—The place of an advocate or friend. See on Psalms 109:6. No man cared for my soul. The word rendered “cared” means to inquire after, to seek.
Sermons on Psalms 142:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
10 Vital Evidences of Salvation by Keith Daniel | This sermon emphasizes the importance of not being ashamed of the gospel of Christ, highlighting the power of God unto salvation for all who believe. It discusses the unleashing of |
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By Love Serve by Bill McLeod | This sermon emphasizes the importance of serving one another in love, drawing from Galatians 5:13. It highlights the need to show genuine care, exhort, comfort, and support fellow |
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Jesus Is Here by G.W. North | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story in John chapter 5 where Jesus encounters a multitude of sick and disabled people at the pool of Bethesda. The pool was believed to |
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No Man Cared for My Soul by J. Wilbur Chapman | J. Wilbur Chapman preaches on the importance of caring for the souls of others, drawing inspiration from the contrasting life of King David who wrote the Psalms. He emphasizes the |
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God Cares by Anton Bosch | Anton Bosch preaches about the feeling of being uncared for and unnoticed by people, but assures that God truly cares for each individual, knowing them by name and being concerned |
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Apt to Hang and Rest Upon Creature Props by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God sometimes removes our earthly comforts to draw us into a deeper reliance on Him. He illustrates this through the psalmist's experience of feeling |
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Jehovah-Jesus the Constant Companion and Faithful Friend of Elect Sinners by Thomas Bradbury | Thomas Bradbury preaches on the glorious truths revealed by JEHOVAH the Spirit in Isaiah 41, contrasting the weakness of Israel with the omnipotence and greatness of Israel's God. |