Title. Maschil = Instruction. See App-65 . of David = by David. when . . . cave. Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1 ) or En-gedi (1 Samuel 24:3 ). The last of eight Psalms referring to this subject. the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . read more
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . was overwhelmed = fainted. Hebrew = was darkened. Compare Psalms 77:3 ; Psalms 107:5 ; Psalms 143:4 . Elsewhere only Jonah 2:8 , and Lamentations 2:12 . then = then [I remembered] Thou knewest, &c. read more
beheld. Supply Ellipsis: "beheld [on my left hand], but", &c. know = regard, or recognize. my soul = me (emphatic). Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . read more
the land of the living. See note on Ezekiel 26:20 . read more
persecutors = pursuers. read more
PSALM 142O JEHOVAH; THOU ART MY REFUGEBaigent pointed out that the sentiments of this psalm are those of Charles Wesley's immortal hymn, "Jesus, Lover of my Soul."[1]"Other refuge have I none; Hangs my helpless soul on thee. Hide me, O my Saviour, hide Till the storm of life is past."[2] The superscription ascribes Psalms 142 to David; and there being nothing whatever in the psalm to raise any doubt of it, we shall so consider it. Of course, scholars who find an Aramaism here and there, speak... read more
"In the way wherein I walkHave they hidden a snare for me.Look on my right hand, and see;For there is no man that knoweth me:Refuge hath failed me;No man careth for my soul.I cried unto thee, O Jehovah;I said, Thou art my refuge,My portion in the land of the living.""They have hidden a snare for me" (Psalms 142:3b). The Davidic nature of this complaint must be obvious to anyone. Such things as "snares," "gins" and "traps" were common terms in David's vocabulary of complaint."Look on my right... read more
"Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low:Deliver me from my persecutors;For they are stronger than I.Bring my soul out of prison,That I may give thanks unto thy name:The righteous shall compass me about;And thou wilt deal bountifully with me.""Attend unto my cry" (Psalms 142:6). Again emphasizing the loud nature of this prayer, Briggs rendered this clause, "Attend unto my yell."[12]"They are stronger than I" (Psalms 142:6). "In the cave of Adullam, David had only 400 outlaws to defend him... read more
Psalms 142:0. David sheweth that, in his trouble, all his comfort was in prayer unto God. Maschil of David; A prayer when he was in the cave. Title. לדוד משׂכיל maskiil ledavid.— This psalm was composed by David when he was in that miserable situation in the cave of Adullam, 1 Samuel 22:0 or that of Engedi, 1 Samuel 24:0. He teaches us, by his own example, to repose ourselves wholly upon God, amid the greatest difficulties. The psalm consists of three parts; the first describes to us the... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 142:1-7
Psalm 140 - 143 Troubles for the godlyThese four psalms are similar, and from the title of Psalms 142:0 it appears that all four belong to the time when David was fleeing from Saul. (See introductory notes to Psalms 34:0.)Treachery and slander are the chief weapons that David’s enemies use to attack him. These men have the poison of snakes and the cunning of hunters (140:1-5). But Yahweh is David’s God, his defender in whom he trusts for victory (6-8). David’s enemies will receive a fitting... read more