Salmi 142:5 Commento

This psalm is a prayer, the substance of which David offered up to God when he was forced by Saul to take shelter in a cave, and which he afterwards penned in this form. Here is, I. The complaint he makes to God (Psa 142:1, Psa 142:2) of the subtlety, strength, and malice, of his enemies (Psa 142:3, Psa 142:6), and the coldness and indifference of his friends (Psa 142:4). II. The comfort he takes in God that he knew his case (Psa 142:3) and was his refuge (Psa 142:5). III. His expectation from God that he would hear and deliver him (Psa 142:6, Psa 142:7). IV His expectation from the righteous that they would join with him in praises (Psa 142:7). Those that are troubled in mind, body, or estate, may, in singing this psalm (if they sing it in some measure with David's spirit), both warrant his complaints and fetch in his comforts. Maschil of David. A prayer when he was in the cave.

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 142 Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. Of the word "maschil", See Gill on Psa 32:1, title. This psalm is called a prayer, as some others are, the ninetieth and hundred second psalms: and was composed by David when either in the cave of Adullam, Sa1 22:1; or rather in the cave at Engedi, where he cut off Saul's skirt, Sa1 24:3; as Jarchi and Kimchi think. The psalm represents the troubles of David, and of the Messiah his antitype, and is applicable to the church of God, or to any particular soul when in distress.

I cried unto thee, O Lord,.... Finding no help from man, he turns to the Lord, and directs his prayer to him in his distress; I said, thou art my refuge; as he was, from all his enemies that were in pursuit of him, and from the storm of calamities he apprehended was coming upon him: and a refuge the Lord is to all his people in time of trouble; and where they always meet with sustenance, protection, and safety; he being a strong habitation, a strong hold, a strong refuge, to which they may resort at all times; and such is Christ to all sensible sinners that flee unto him, Heb 6:18; and my portion in the land of the living; and a most excellent one he is, a large, immense, and inconceivable portion; he and all his perfections, purposes, promises, and blessings, being included in it; a soul-satisfying one, and which will never be taken away nor consumed; it is a portion in the present life; it will last as long as life lasts, and continues unto death, and at death, and for evermore, Psa 73:26.

"Unto you have I cried, O Lord: I have said, You are my hope" [Psalm 142:5]. When I endured, when I was in tribulation, "I said, You are my hope." My hope here, therefore I endure. But "my portion," not here, but "in the land of the living." God gives a portion in the land of the living; but not something from Himself without Himself. What will He give to one that loves Him, save Himself?

What does it mean, then, that the younger was blessed in the guise of the elder, but that under the symbols of the Old Testament and its promise to the people of the Jews a spiritual blessing has lighted on the people of the Christians? Pay attention, brothers! They hear about the promised land, and so do we. Scripture seems to be speaking to the Jews about the promised land, and it is we who are blessed with the true understanding of the promised land, we who can say to God, "You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living." But it is our mother who taught us to say this that is to say the church teaches us in the holy prophets how to understand spiritually these material promises.

The scope of this Psalm is the same as that of the preceding. (Psa 148:1-14) heavens [and] heights--are synonymous.

(Compare Psa 31:14; Psa 62:7).