Psalm 142

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 142:7

God's bountifulness. "Thou shalt deal bountifully with me." The point here seems to be that an unusual experience of the Divine goodness, in one particular case, excites the attention of others who trust in God, and becomes, for them, an inspiration to increased confidence in God. I. GOD 'S BOUNTIFULNESS AS OUR IMPRESSION OF GOD 'S DEALINGS WITH US . It is not the constant impression. Sometimes we have to say, "My purposes are broken off;" "He hath hedged up my... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 142

This also is a psalm of David. It is entitled, like not a few others of the Psalms, “Maschil;” margin, “giving instruction:” a didactic hymn. See the word explained in the Introduction to Psalms 32:1-11. It is said, in the title, to be “A prayer when he was in the cave;” that is, either a prayer which he composed while there, or which he composed afterward, putting into a poetic form the substance of the prayer which he breathed forth there, or expressive of the feelings which he had when... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 142:1

I cried unto the Lord with my voice - See the notes at Psalms 3:4, where the language is the same. He uttered a loud and audible prayer, though he was alone. It was not a mental ejaculation, but he gave expression to his desires.With my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication - See Psalms 30:8. The Hebrew word rendered “did make my supplication,” means to implore favor or mercy. It denotes the language of petition and entreaty, not the language of claim. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 142:2

I poured out my complaint before him - literally, my meditation; that is, What so much occupied my thoughts at the time I expressed aloud. The word “complaint” does not express the idea. The meaning is, not that he “complained” of God or of man; but that his mind “meditated” on his condition. He was full of care and of anxiety; and he went and poured this out freely before God. The Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate render this, “my prayer.” See Psalms 55:2, where the same Hebrew word is used.I... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 142:3

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me - Luther renders this, “When my spirit was in distress.” The Hebrew word rendered “overwhelmed” means, in Kal, to cover as with a garment; then, to be covered as with darkness, trouble, sorrow; and then, to languish, to faint, to be feeble: Psalms 77:3; Psalms 107:5. The idea here is, that, in his troubles, he had no vigor, no life, no spirit. He did not see how he could escape from his troubles, and he had no heart to make an effort.Then thou knewest my... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 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. They refer to David’s state of mind at the time, and give vividness to the description. The psalmist seems to be in the presence of others. He calls upon them to look around; to see how he was encompassed with danger. Look, says he, in every direction; see who there is on... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 142:5

I cried unto thee, O Lord - When there was no help; when I saw myself encompassed with dangers; when I looked on every hand and there was no “man” that would undertake for me.I said, Thou art my refuge - (a) My “only” refuge. I can go nowhere else.(b) Thou art “in fact” my refuge. I can and do put my trust in thee. See the notes at Psalms 46:1.And my portion - See the notes at Psalms 16:5.In the land of the living - Among all those that live - all living beings. There is no one else among the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 142:6

Attend unto my cry - Give ear to me when I cry to thee. Do not turn away and refuse to hear me.For I am brought very low - I am reduced greatly; I am made very poor. The language would be applicable to one who had been in better circumstances, and who had been brought down to a condition of danger, of poverty, of want. It is language which is commonly applied to poverty.Deliver me from my persecutors - Saul and his followers.For they are stronger than I - More in number; better armed; better... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 142:7

Bring my soul out of prison - Bring me out of my present condition which is like a prison. I am as it were shut up; I am encompassed with foes; I do not know how to escape. Compare Psalms 25:17.That I may praise thy name - Not merely for my own sake, but that I may have occasion more abundantly to praise thee; that thus “thou” mayest be honored; an object at all times much more important than our own welfare - even than our salvation.The righteous shall compass me about - They shall come to me... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 142

A.M. 2944. B.C. 1060. We learn from the title of this Psalm that it was a prayer of David when he was in the cave, most probably the cave of Adullam, whither he fled when he was in danger, both from Saul and from the Philistines, 1 Samuel 22:1 . He complains of finding no help in his straits, dangers, and troubles, Psalms 142:1-4 . He cries unto God in prayer, and comforts himself in him, Psalms 142:5-7 . read more

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