# Psalm 142 📖: A Prayer from the Cave [[📚 Explore the Bible Books]] [[-Psalm Overview]] | [[Psalm 141]] | [[Psalm 143]] > [!info] Table of Contents > [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]] > [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]] > [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]] > [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]] > [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]] > [[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]] > [[#💬 Discussion Questions]] > [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]] > [[#🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference]] > [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]] > [[#📂 Internal Notes]] ## 📜 Scripture Text (NET) (The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005) #### A well-written song by David, when he was in the cave; a prayer. [[#Verse 01.]] To the Lord I cry out; to the Lord I plead for mercy. [[#Verse 02.]] I pour out my lament before him; I tell him about my troubles. [[#Verse 03.]] Even when my strength leaves me, you watch my footsteps. In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. [[#Verse 04.]] Look to the right and see. No one cares about me. I have nowhere to run; no one is concerned about my life. [[#Verse 05.]] I cry out to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my shelter, my security in the land of the living.” [[#Verse 06.]] Listen to my cry for help, for I am in serious trouble. Rescue me from those who chase me, for they are stronger than I am. [[#Verse 07.]] Free me from prison, that I may give thanks to your name. Because of me the godly will assemble, for you will vindicate me. ## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary ###### Overall. ###### Verse 01. ###### Verse 02. ###### Verse 03. ###### Verse 04. ###### Verse 05. ###### Verse 06. ###### Verse 07. ## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights 1. The heading calls Psalm 142 a *maskil* of David, a prayer "when he was in the cave." 2. The cave may be the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1) or the cave at En Gedi (1 Samuel 24:3). 3. Psalm 57 is also linked in its heading to David's time in a cave. 4. *Maskil* is a term of uncertain meaning, possibly a skillful or instructive psalm. Psalm 142 is the last psalm with this term in its heading. 5. The right hand (142:4) was the place where a defender or advocate stood (Psalm 109:31). 6. David calls God his "portion" (142:5), a word used of the Levites, whose inheritance was the Lord Himself (Numbers 18:20). 7. "The land of the living" (142:5) means this present life on earth. 8. David asks to be brought out of "prison" (142:7), likely a picture of feeling trapped in the cave. 9. At Adullam, about four hundred men gathered around David (1 Samuel 22:2), which may connect to the righteous surrounding him (142:7). 10. The psalm moves from complaint (142:1-4) to trust (142:5) to expected thanksgiving (142:7). ## 🧠 Chapter Summary > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter Christ is the One who was abandoned by His friends (Mark 14:50) so that His people would never be truly alone. He promises, "I will never leave you or abandon you" (Hebrews 13:5). ## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## 💬 Discussion Questions 1. David pours out his complaint before the Lord while hiding in a cave (142:1-2). What does it look like to tell God your troubles honestly? 2. David felt that no one cared for his life (142:4). When you feel alone, what helps you remember that God sees you? 3. David calls the Lord his refuge and his portion (142:5). What would it mean for God to be your "portion" in this season? ## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember - 📖 verses 1-2: I cry out to the Lord and tell Him about my troubles. - 📖 verse 4: No one cares about me, and I have nowhere to run. - 📖 verse 5: You are my shelter and all I have in the land of the living. ## 🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference - 🔗 [[1 Samuel 22#Verse 01.|1 Samuel 22:1-2]] - David at the cave of Adullam. - 🔗 [[Mark 14#Verse 50.|Mark 14:50]] - All the disciples deserted Him. - 🔗 [[Hebrews 13#Verse 05.|Hebrews 13:5-6]] - I will never leave you. - 🔗 [[Lamentations 03#Verse 22.|Lamentations 3:22-24]] - The Lord is my portion. - 🔗 [[2 Timothy 04#Verse 16.|2 Timothy 4:16-17]] - No one stood with me, but the Lord stood by me. ## 🙏 Devotional Reflection > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## 📂 Internal Notes