Psalm 142

A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer.

1 With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.

2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.

The parallelism in these first two verses is striking in its similarity, particularly in the Hebrew. The phrases, “with my voice” and “before him” are repeated verbatim in each verse, lending strength to the action described. David is in “the cave”, likely referring to the time he was fleeing from Saul and sought refuge in a cave. He was cornered and may very well have felt that this was the end. He was trapped with no escape when Saul himself came into the cave to relieve himself from the heat. While David is desperately praying this prayer, his enemy falls asleep at his feet and David is able to vindicate himself and escape to live another day. Of course David doesn’t know all of that when he begins this prayer. He’s just pouring it all out to God, explaining the situation, just in case the LORD is not aware of it! This is where prayers of lament begin, laying everything out before God, crying out, pleading for mercy, pouring out a complaint, and telling of all the troubles. Don’t worry, God can take it, and it is good for our souls to unload these burdens over and over again. Perhaps that is something else that is suggested by the repetition. Lament is not a “one and done” kind of thing. Grief comes in waves and we find ourselves back in the same place again and again, crying out to God and pouring out our complaints. David’s lament will turn to trust and confidence in a few short verses. 

3 When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.

4 Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.

David gets specific with his complaint in these verses. His spirit (breath) is overwhelmed within him. The word translated “overwhelmed” occurs five times in a similar context in the psalms. Elsewhere in the psalms it refers to a covering. Even when David feels covered in the weight of suffering, he is confident that YHWH knows his way (Psalm 139:1-18). And speaking of David’s way, the path before him has a hidden trap set in it by his enemies. Guess what, it’s not hidden to God. If David is blind to what lies ahead, be not afraid, God knows exactly what the next step will be. When David looks to his right hand, the place of friendship, there is no one that even notices his struggle. He feels isolated from the community, his usual social support system is nowhere to be found. He believes that there is no refuge for him, no resting place, no end in sight given the current circumstances. He feels utterly abandoned. Everyone around him just seems indifferent to what he is going through. This is one of the worst aspects of grief -- its isolating effects. Because others are not experiencing the same struggles you are, you assume that you are alone, unique in your pain, and even the smallest slights become large in your eyes. “Why can’t they see me? Can’t they see I’m dying inside?” These are the kinds of questions we ask in a crowded room filled with laughter and normalcy, and yet we feel like we’re in a prison.  

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

6 Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me!

7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.

David’s perspective shifts dramatically in this second half of his prayer. Having complained that there was no refuge and no care for his soul, he states that in fact, the LORD himself is his refuge and his share (portion) as long as he is alive. It is enough to have God himself, this very real relationship with the creator, when all other relationships disappoint. This is the theme of Psalm 16 in which David declares YHWH to be his refuge, his portion, and his eternal companion at his right hand. Once more he prays for YHWH to pay attention to his cry because he is languishing (Heb. daleth, the letter D, Psalm 119:25-32). He asks for deliverance from his strong persecutors. He acknowledges that he is imprisoned, and asks for release in order that he may give thanks to the LORD publicly. The righteous will surround him (his community restored) because YHWH has been so generous to him. This movement toward trust and confidence is typical in psalms of lament. As we pour out our complaint and describe our suffering, we have the sense that God is indeed hearing us, that we are not alone. We get reminders of his goodness, songs and stories from the past are brought to mind, scripture that we have hidden in our hearts speaks to us. Hearing God’s voice once again, answering our cries invigorates our faith and we begin to see things differently. There is hope, opportunity to experience freedom and community again. Many people live in a prison of their circumstances and their view that it is a life sentence. This psalm offers hope that there is another perspective. God knows your way, hears your cry and will be enough for you if you would only trust him. You’ll find a whole community of fellow travelers who have had a similar experience. You’ll see the blessings that you once took for granted when you were focused on yourself. Look for the bounty of God’s goodness and allow your heart to be grateful. Come out of the prison.