Psalm 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. A STRIKING TESTIMONY. 1. Man has a soul. 2. Man's soul is of priceless worth (Matthew 16:26). 3. Man's soul requires to be cared for. It needs — (1) Light (Proverbs 19:2; Hosea 4:6; John 3:16-21; 1 John 1:5-7). (2) Freedom (John 8:32; Romans 6:12-18; Psalm 119:32). (3) Holy nurture (John 6:51; Hebrews 6:1, 2; 2 Peter 1:5-8). (4) Christian help and companionship (Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10; Galatians 6:1, 2; Romans 12:10; Hebrews 10:24, 25; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26). II. A MOURNFUL COMPLAINT. 1. Want of sympathy (Matthew 27:4; Psalm 69:20; Amos 1:11; Matthew 18:33; Ephesians 4:32). 2. Unbrotherly neglect (Deuteronomy 20; Deuteronomy 3:7; Genesis 4:9; Isaiah 58:7-12; Galatians 6:2; Exodus 3:18). 3. Heart-killing repulse. III. A HEART-TOUCHING APPEAL. 1. To man. Pity. Sympathy. Brotherly help (Acts 16:9). 2. To God. No one cries to God in vain. The poor may look to the rich in vain, but God is the helper of the poor (Psalm 10:14). (W. Forsyth, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |