Frameworks:
Psalm 142: Prayer for help when being pursued
A
maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.
[Preliminary
Comments: The heading above indicates one of the two
times David was hiding from Saul in a cave [see 1 Sam 22:1, 24:3]
but the first time was more threatening so it probably was David
then, worrying about Saul coming against him. He calls on the
Lord in prayer [v.1,2] because those pursing him leave him feeling
weak [v.3] and alone [v.4]. So he cries to the Lord [v.5] in desperation
[v.6] and asks the Lord to deliver him [v.7]. A prayer for help
when being pursued by enemies.]
v.1,2
David cries out to the Lord
v.1
I
cry aloud to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
v.2 I
pour out before him my complaint;
before him I tell my trouble.
v.3
He trusts in God watching over him when others are after him
v.3
When
my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
people have hidden a snare for me.
v.4
He feels utterly alone and unsupported
v.4
Look
and see, there is no one at my right hand;
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.
v.5
He encourages himself, crying to the Lord, his refuge
v.5
I
cry to you, Lord;
I say, ‘You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.'
v.7
In prayer he expresses his desperation, fleeing from Saul
v.6
Listen
to my cry,
for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
v.7
He ask that the Lord deliver him so he may gather the righteous
about him
v.7
Set
me free from my prison,
that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.
[Additional
Comments: Perhaps we take for granted that this warrior,
this man of God, turns to God for help when he feels under threat
but not all of us do that, only the desperate.]
Continue
to Psa 143