Psalms 142:1-7 - Homilies By S. Conway

When my spirit was overwhelmed.

This is said to be one of David's cave psalms. There are some seven or eight which, according to their inscriptions, have to do with David's persecution by Saul. What cave is meant, whether Adullam or Engedi, we do not know.

I. HERE IS A MOST DISTRESSFUL CONDITION SET FORTH . It is described:

1. As being overwhelmed . ( Psalms 142:3 .) As if some fierce flood had rushed down upon him and his, and with sore difficulty they could bear up against its cruel might.

2. As being in great need of refuge , but utterly failing to find it . ( Psalms 142:3 .) He had looked round on the fight hand and the left, but in vain.

3. As rejected by men . "No man would know me." They had cast him off, would have nothing to do with him, would certainly render no help.

4. As " brought very low ." ( Psalms 142:6 .) All hope and joy had fled from him; he was utterly cast down.

5. As one shut up in prison . ( Psalms 142:7 .) Now, all this sets forth what is often true in the experience of God's people. We are told also—

II. How THIS CONDITION WAS BROUGHT ABOUT .

1. By the snares of the wicked . ( Psalms 142:3 .) The snare was secretly but surely laid, and the psalmist seems to have fallen into it; it was laid along the path wherein he was wont to walk. He had not wandered off into strange or forbidden ways, but in his own proper and accustomed path, there the snare was secretly set. "The daily round, the common task," may become to us not only the path of life, but the evil one knows how, in the midst of them, to lay, and often too successfully, snares for the soul.

2. By the indifference and apathy of his fellow-men . "No man cared for my soul." It is a thought full of pain and sorrow to many a Christian heart that, by neglect, they have suffered so many souls to go astray. We have not cared for them as we should. When we think of it, we can only say, "Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord." But let us also forsake the sin we confess.

3. By persecution . This does often bring the soul "very low." Even our blessed Lord cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" But it matters not, so long as we cleave to God.

III. WHAT TO DO UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES .

1. Turn to the Lord in fervent prayer . Lay before him all your trouble. Keep well in mind that the Lord who loves you, and whom you love, knoweth the way you take.

2. Call to mind what God has been to you in the past .

IV. WHAT SHALL COME OF IT . The Lord will deal bountifully with us. We shall praise the Lord. All the righteous will rejoice.—S.C.