Right hand; the place where the patron or assistant used to stand. See Psalms 16:8; Psalms 109:31; Psalms 121:5. No man, to wit, in Saul’s court or camp; none of my former acquaintance, and friends. and relations. Know me; own me, or show any respect or kindness to me. For my soul; or, for my life, to wit, to preserve it; but they all conspired to take it away; which is here implied. read more
Thou only art both my refuge to defend me from all evil, and my portion to supply me with all the good which I need and desire. In the land of the living; even in this life, wherein I doubt not to see God’s goodness, as he said, Psalms 27:13. read more
Bring my soul out of prison; bring me safe out of this cave, wherein I am imprisoned, and set me at perfect liberty. Shall compass me about; shall flock to me from all parts, partly out of curiosity to see such a spectacle and miracle of God’s power and mercy; and partly to rejoice and bless God with me and for me, and for all the benefits which they expect from my government. read more
INTRODUCTION“A maschil of David,” ie., an instruction or a didactic poem by David. “A prayer when he was in the cave;” “That is,” says Barnes, “either a prayer which he composed while there, or which he composed afterwards, putting into a poetic form the substance of the prayer which he breathed forth there. The reference may be either to the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1), or to that in Engedi (1 Samuel 24:3). In both cases the circumstances were substantially the same, for David had fled to... read more
Psalms 142:7 I. Consider what is to be understood by "the soul in prison." The ideas suggested by the word "prison" are such as these: deprivation of liberty, severe and gloomy restraint, and exclusion from all sources of worldly comfort and enjoyment. We may say also that there is usually associated with it the idea of degradation and infamy. We are led by the text to connect these ideas with certain states of the soul, or certain experiences through which it may sometimes have to pass. (1)... read more
DISCOURSE: 737LIBERTY DESIREDPsalms 142:7. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name!GREAT are the changes which, from time to time, we observe in the material world; namely, from darkness to light, from barrenness to fertility, from death to life. Such likewise take place in the spiritual world; for men, by the Gospel, are “turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.” Nor is this spiritual change less visible than the other. There are signs whereby we may... read more
Psalms 142:1-7 . This is a prayer of David when he was in the cave. No doubt the cave of Adullam when he was hiding from Saul.I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my prayer. I poured out my complaint before him; I showed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then you knew my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privately laid a trap for me. I looked upon my right hand, and I beheld, but there was no man that would know me:... read more
The title of this psalm seems undisputed; and it therefore fixes the author and the occasion of its composition. Maschil, or an instruction, of David; a prayer when he was in the cave. 1 Samuel 22:1; 1 Samuel 24:3. Whether the cave of Adullam, or that of Engedi be intended, is not known. Psalms 142:4 . No man cared for my soul. Hebrews nephesh is often rendered “life,” as in Genesis 2:7. Exodus 4:19. Those who sought thy life are dead. 1 Samuel 20:1. My life is yet whole in me. 2... read more
Psalms 142:1-7I cried unto the Lord with my voice.Religion in the trials of life: -I. The trials here represented. He speaks of himself as--1. Overwhelmed (verse 3).2. Walking in snares (verse 3).3. Destitute of friends (verse 4).4. Greatly reduced (verse 6).5. Greatly persecuted (verse 6).6. Imprisoned (verse 7). Ignorance, poverty, affliction, all these imprison.II. The religion here displayed.1. Religion manifesting itself in prayer to God. A practical realization of our dependence on our... read more
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Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 142:3
Thou knewest, to wit, practically, so as to direct me to it. My path; what paths I should choose whereby I might escape Saul, when I fled hither and thither in deserts, and mountains, and woods; and which way I should get out of his hands when he and all his men were at the cave’s mouth, which passed my skill. Wherein I walked; wherein I used to walk, or they supposed that I would walk. read more