Chapter Overview
Summary
Psalm 142 (MT) / Psalm 141 (LXX) is a Davidic MASKIL — a prayer 'when he was in the cave' (the second-such designation; cf. Ps 57) — likely referring to 1 Sam 22 (cave of Adullam) or 24 (cave of En-gedi). Verse 5 — 'you are my REFUGE, my PORTION in the land of the living' — echoes Lamentations 3:24's 'the LORD is my portion.'
Notable Variants
142:5 'you are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living' echoing Lam 3:24 portion-theology; the cave-superscription pairing with Ps 57.
Structural Notes
MT Ps 142 = LXX Ps 141. 7 verses.
A maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. With my voice I cry out to the LORD. With my voice I plead with the LORD for mercy.
Superscription 'A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer' tracks MT.
I pour out my complaint before him. I declare my distress before him.
'With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD' tracks MT.
When my spirit grows faint within me, you know my path. Along the road where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
'I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him' tracks MT.
Look to my right and see — there is no one who recognizes me. Every escape route is gone from me. No one cares about my life.
'When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me' tracks MT.
I cry out to you, LORD. I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."
'Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul' tracks MT. NO-ONE-CARES-FOR-MY-SOUL — the isolation-lament. Christologically read of Christ's cross-abandonment.
Pay attention to my cry, for I have been brought very low. Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are stronger than I am.
'I cry to you, O LORD; I say: You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living' tracks MT. 'MY PORTION IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING.' Lamentations 3:24 ('the LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him') parallels. Ps 73:26, 119:57 share the 'LORD is my portion' theology.
Bring me out of this prison so that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will gather around me, for you will deal generously with me.
'Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me!' tracks MT.
'Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me' tracks MT. BRING-OUT-OF-PRISON petition — for David-in-the-cave the cave IS the prison. Acts 12:7–10 (Peter's angelic-liberation from prison) and 16:25–26 (Paul-and-Silas in prison singing) extend.