Psalms 142:3

"In the way wherein I walk

Have 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 hand and see" (Psalms 142:4). "The right hand was the place of the advocate,"[8] or the defense attorney, in all ancient court proceedings; and David here uses this as a metaphor declaring that there is no one to defend him, no one on his right hand.

"But thou art my refuge" (Psalms 142:5). Briggs noted that, "`Thou' is here emphatic, emphasizing that it is God, and no other, who is his refuge."[9]

"Refuge" (Psalms 142:5). "This word carries with it the meaning of, "Shelter from storm or danger."[10] See the words of Wesley's hymn (above). Kidner identified the term "refuge" as, "A favorite word with David, as in Psalms 57:1)."[11]