Psalm 142

Psa 142:1

SUPERSCRIPTION: "A MASKIL OF DAVID. WHEN HE WAS IN THE CAVE. A PRAYER." Either 1Sa 22:1 or 1Sa 24:3 (cp Psa 34). See Lesson, Psalms, "Maschil".

I CRY ALOUD TO THE LORD: (HEZEKIAH) Isa 38:9-14. (NT) Christ in Gethsemane.

Psa 142:2

I POUR OUT MY COMPLAINT: (NT) See Isa 49:1-6 from a Messianic viewpoint.

Psa 142:3

MY WAY: (NT) Christ's face set toward Jerusalem: Mar 10:32; Luk 9:51; 13:22; 17:11; 18:31; 19:11,37.

Psa 142:4

MY RIGHT: The right hand, where one would expect to find a deliverer: Psa 16:8; 109:31; 110:5; 121:5.

NO ONE IS CONCERNED FOR ME: (NT) "Could you not watch 1 hr?" (Mat 26:40/Mar 14:37; cp Psa 69:20; 88:8).

NO REFUGE: Esp at beginning, David could not stay in any one place too long.

Psa 142:5

MY REFUGE: See title: "the cave". But no PHYSICAL location could truly be David's refuge.

PORTION: The word signifies one's highest good or prized possession: sw Psa 16:5; 73:26; Lam 3:24.

Psa 142:6

I AM IN DESPERATE NEED: "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, unto death" (Mat 26:38; Mar 14:34). Sweat as blood: Luk 22:44.

THOSE WHO PURSUE ME: (1) Saul, determined to be rid of a rival, or (2) the men of Achish, constantly watching David.

Psa 142:7

MY PRISON: David was "imprisoned" in Achish.

(HEZEKIAH) Hezekiah's leprosy caused him to be shut in, as did -- in the wider sense -- the Assyrian siege.

(NT) The resurrection.

THAT I MAY PRAISE YOUR NAME: David's exile meant no worship at God's house.

(HEZEKIAH) Likewise, Hezekiah's leprosy (ct Isa 38:22).

THE RIGHTEOUS WILL GATHER ABOUT ME: Sw Psa 22:12 for "bulls of Bashan": the Pharisees and priests, pseudo-righteous! And, then, the truly righteous, gathered about in adoration. Also, RV mg: "The righteous shall crown themselves because of me": The redeemed will be a "crown" to Jesus (cp 1Th 2:19,20), and they in turn will be "crowned" by him (Rev 3:21; 5:9,10)!