Psalm 142:1-7 I cried to the LORD with my voice; with my voice to the LORD did I make my supplication.… The last of the eight psalms to be referred to David's persecution by Saul. Supposed to describe his thoughts and feelings when he was in the cave," though whether of Adullam or of Engedi is not clear. It expresses the cleaving of the heart to God, the deep sense of loneliness, the cry for deliverance, the confidence that that deliverance will call forth the sympathy and the joy of many others." I. IMPORTUNATE PRAYER UTTERED ALOUD WITH VOICE AND WORDS. (Vers. 1, 2.) Not mere inward communion with God, but with audible prayer pours out his distracting trouble, and lays open before him the burden and the distress of his heart. Uttered prayer more soothing and strengthening than mere silent desire, though both are effectual with God. II. IN OUR DARKEST, MOST DANGEROUS TIMES GOD IS WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THE WHOLE EXTENT OF OUR TROUBLE. (Ver. 3.) God, therefore, can listen with the more sympathy to prayers, because he can understand how to estimate the depth and meaning of our complaints. This a source of great comfort - that God is not ignorant of our circumstances till we inform him of them. His interest is awakened by his own knowledge previous to our prayer. III. GOD'S ALL-SEEING EYE RECOGNIZES HIS LONELINESS AND HELPLESSNESS. (Ver. 4.) No human being will recognize him, nor afford him any help, nor take any sympathetic interest in his affairs. All this is perfectly open to the knowledge of God. IV. DESPAIRING OF HUMAN HELP, HE URGENTLY CRIES TO HIS ONLY REFUGE. (Ver. 5.) Jehovah is his "Refuge" and "Portion" - the only possession that suffices and satisfies him, and guarantees his continuance "in the land of the living." He cannot die, he cannot perish, though abandoned of all human friends and helpers. V. HIS OWN FEEBLENESS AND THE SUPERIOR STRENGTH OF HIS ENEMIES IS ANOTHER PLEA FOR DELIVERANCE. (Ver. 6.) He has the calm assurance that this plea will be answered, and the Divine Name glorified. VI. HIS DELIVERANCE WILL CALL FORTH THE SYMPATHY AND JOY OF OTHERS. (Ver. 7.) He is not, therefore, so entirely alone as he once thought; there are other righteous persons besides himself whose destiny is interwoven with his own. In this manner God deals bountifully with him. - S. Parallel Verses KJV: {Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave.} I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.WEB: I cry with my voice to Yahweh. With my voice, I ask Yahweh for mercy. |
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