Psalms 142

Psalms 142:1-7

“ No Man Cared for My Soul” Psalms 142:1-7 The cave was dark and shared by rough and lawless men with whom David had little sympathy. His gentle and devout spirit must often have craved for more congenial society. But he never ceased to cry and make supplication whenever his spirit was overwhelmed. Are you in that plight? Be comforted by the reflection that God knows your path. It is the predestined way, Ephesians 2:10.

Before the heavens or earth were made it was prepared. God foreknew all its perplexities and difficulties-how dark the shadows, how fearsome the black current-but He chose it as your best way home. Are all faces averted? Does no one seem to care? Is your soul in prison, and are your persecutors strong? Be of good cheer!

Reinforcements of divine grace are on their way; the righteous shall crown themselves because of you; and you will say with your dying breath, “ He has dealt bountifully with me.”

With my voice One of David’s Cave-Psalms. Maschil means Instruction. How much instruction individuals and the Church have gained from the strait dark caves in which, in every age, the saints have been immured! The prison and the persecutor oppress the soul of the sweet singer, who yet towards the close catches sight of a brighter and better time.

Psalms 142:1. I cry with my voice In the R.V. each clause is rendered in the present tense. To use audible words is sometimes a great incentive to prayer, stirring up the spirit to more vehemency and concentration.

Psalms 142:2. I poured out my complaint Of course God knows all before we tell Him, but it is our duty–and a great relief–to unbosom ourselves to Him. We often miss the benefit of prayer, because we deal so much in general and do not enough dwell on the particulars of our need. Psalms 142:3. When my spirit was overwhelmed There are times when however bravely we would bear ourselves, our spirit faints (R.V. marg.). What is here said of the “spirit” (rooakh) is oftener predicted of the “soul” (nephesh) (Psalms 42:6; Psalms 43:5); but the dejection and fainting of the spirit is a more sorrowful condition. Yet how consolatory that God knows our path! His eye is ever fixed on its perplexities. He sees its hidden pitfalls and snares.

Psalms 142:4. Look on my right hand (R.V.) It was the Jewish custom for the advocate as well as the accuser to stand on the right hand of the accused (Psalms 110:5; Psalms 16:8; Zechariah 3:1). Observe the contrast–no man knoweth; no man careth: Thou knewest my path (Psalms 142:3). Refuge failed me; Thou art my refuge (Psalms 142:5).

Psalms 142:5. I said, Thou my refuge my portion! The loneliness and isolation of the soul from all human love often makes us turn the more urgently to God, who can be loved without satiety and whose love is unchangeable, unselfish and eternal. How often does God diminish and break off our portion in this life that we may be driven to seek it again in Himself! (Lamentations 3:24).

Psalms 142:6. I am brought very low How well did these words fit the lips of our Lord when He descended into the dust of death for us. He was brought very low when he became obedient to the death of the cross. “Stronger than I,” but not than Thou! His weakness is stronger than men (Psalms 105:24;Jeremiah 33:11; Luke 11:22; 1 Corinthians 1:25).

Psalms 142:7. Bring my soul out of prison Is there not an allusion here to the history of Joseph? “Lead me out of distress,” as Joseph from prison (see alsopsa. 102:10, 13; Isaiah 42:7; Acts 12:7-9; Acts 16:39). The compassing of the righteous indicates their sympathy with the Psalmist when they press in to offer their congratulations as garlands and crowns. God’s mercy to him would be a source of joy to others, who would bind the story on their brows as a festal crown (“shall crown themselves,” R.V., marg.).