Psalm 142:5
New International Version
I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

New Living Translation
Then I pray to you, O LORD. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.

English Standard Version
I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

Berean Standard Bible
I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

King James Bible
I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

New King James Version
I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.

New American Standard Bible
I cried out to You, LORD; I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.

NASB 1995
I cried out to You, O LORD; I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.

NASB 1977
I cried out to Thee, O LORD; I said, “Thou art my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.

Legacy Standard Bible
I cried out to You, O Yahweh; I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.

Amplified Bible
I cried out to You, O LORD; I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.

Christian Standard Bible
I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I cry to You, LORD; I say, “You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living.”

American Standard Version
I cried unto thee, O Jehovah; I said, Thou art my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.

Contemporary English Version
I pray to you, LORD! You are my place of safety, and you are my choice in the land of the living. Please answer my prayer. I am completely helpless.

English Revised Version
I cried unto thee, O LORD; I said, Thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I call out to you, O LORD. I say, "You are my refuge, my own inheritance in this world of the living."

Good News Translation
LORD, I cry to you for help; you, LORD, are my protector; you are all I want in this life.

International Standard Version
So I cry to you, Lord, declaring, "You are my refuge, my only possession while I am on this earth."

Majority Standard Bible
I cry to You, O LORD: ?You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.?

NET Bible
I cry out to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my shelter, my security in the land of the living."

New Heart English Bible
I cried to you, LORD. I said, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."

Webster's Bible Translation
I cried to thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

World English Bible
I cried to you, Yahweh. I said, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I have cried to you, O YHWH, "" I have said, “You [are] my refuge, "" My portion in the land of the living.”

Young's Literal Translation
I have cried unto thee, O Jehovah, I have said, 'Thou art my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.'

Smith's Literal Translation
I cried to thee, O Jehovah: I said, Thou my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I cried to thee, O Lord: I said: Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I cried out to you, O Lord. I said: You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.

New American Bible
I cry out to you, LORD, I say, You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.

New Revised Standard Version
I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I cried to thee, O LORD; I said, Thou art my hope and my portion, O LORD, in the land of the living.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I cried to you, LORD JEHOVAH, and I have said:" You are my hope and my portion in the land of life."
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I have cried unto Thee, O LORD; I have said: 'Thou art my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I cried unto thee, O Lord, and said, Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Lift My Voice to the LORD
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
Psalm 16:5
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 46:1
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 62:7-8
My salvation and my honor rest on God, my strong rock; my refuge is in God. / Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah

Psalm 91:2
I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 27:1
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

Psalm 31:14
But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”

Psalm 63:1
A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.

Psalm 119:57
The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.

Psalm 23:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Isaiah 25:4
For You have been a refuge for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall,

Lamentations 3:24
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”

Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.


Treasury of Scripture

I cried to you, O LORD: I said, You are my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

thou art

Psalm 46:1,7,11
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble…

Psalm 62:6,7
He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved…

Psalm 91:2,9,10
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust…

my portion

Psalm 16:5
The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Psalm 119:57
CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

in the land

Psalm 27:13
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Psalm 56:13
For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

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Psalm 142
1. David shows that in his trouble all his comfort was in prayer unto God














I cry to You, O LORD:
This phrase reflects a deep, personal plea to God, emphasizing the psalmist's reliance on divine intervention. The act of crying out to the LORD is a common theme in the Psalms, illustrating a relationship where God is seen as a personal and accessible deity. This cry is not just a call for help but an expression of faith and trust in God's ability to hear and respond. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) signifies a covenant relationship, reminding the reader of God's promises to His people throughout the Old Testament.

You are my refuge:
The concept of God as a refuge is prevalent in the Psalms, symbolizing safety and protection. In ancient times, cities of refuge were places where individuals could seek asylum. Spiritually, God is portrayed as a sanctuary from life's trials and adversities. This imagery connects to other scriptures, such as Psalm 46:1, where God is described as "our refuge and strength." It also foreshadows the New Testament understanding of Christ as a refuge for believers, offering salvation and eternal security.

my portion in the land of the living:
The term "portion" suggests inheritance or sustenance, indicating that the psalmist views God as his ultimate source of provision and satisfaction. In the Old Testament, the land was a significant aspect of God's promise to Israel, representing both physical and spiritual blessings. By declaring God as his portion, the psalmist acknowledges that true fulfillment comes from a relationship with God rather than material possessions. This idea is echoed in Lamentations 3:24, "The LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him." The "land of the living" contrasts with Sheol, the realm of the dead, emphasizing life and hope found in God. This phrase can also be seen as a type of Christ, who offers abundant life to His followers (John 10:10).

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of this psalm, traditionally believed to be King David, who often found himself in dire situations, seeking God's deliverance and protection.

2. The Cave
This psalm is often associated with David's time hiding in a cave, possibly the Cave of Adullam, where he sought refuge from King Saul's pursuit.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, to whom David cries out for help and refuge.

4. The Land of the Living
A phrase indicating the realm of the living, as opposed to the realm of the dead, emphasizing God's provision and presence in this life.
Teaching Points
God as Our Refuge
In times of distress, we can turn to God as our ultimate refuge. Just as David sought safety in God, we too can find peace and protection in His presence.

God as Our Portion
Recognizing God as our portion means acknowledging Him as our ultimate source of satisfaction and provision. In a world that often seeks fulfillment in material things, we are reminded to find our contentment in God alone.

Crying Out to God
David's example of crying out to God in his time of need teaches us the importance of prayer and honest communication with God. We are encouraged to bring our troubles and fears before Him.

Living in the Land of the Living
While we look forward to eternal life, God is also our portion in this life. We are called to live with the awareness of His presence and provision in our daily lives.(5) With this verse comp. Psalm 31:3; Psalm 22:8; Psalm 16:5, &c.

Verse 5. - 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 (Psalm 27:10). David looked to God as a sure Refuge at all times (Psalm 9:9; Psalm 18:1, 2; Psalm 57:1; Psalm 59:9, 16, 17). And my Portion in the land of the living; or, "my inheritance" (comp. Psalm 16:5; Psalm 73:26).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I cry
זָעַ֥קְתִּי (zā·‘aq·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2199: To shriek, to announce, convene publicly

to You,
אֵלֶ֗יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

O LORD:
יְה֫וָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

“You
אַתָּ֣ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

[are] my refuge,
מַחְסִ֑י (maḥ·sî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4268: Refuge, shelter

my portion
חֶ֝לְקִ֗י (ḥel·qî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2506: Portion, tract, territory

in the land
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of the living.”
הַֽחַיִּים׃ (ha·ḥay·yîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life


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OT Poetry: Psalm 142:5 I cried to you Yahweh (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 142:4
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