Psalms 142
Big idea: Written in a cave, and it says the loneliest sentence in the Psalter twice over: look on my right, and see; for there is no one who is concerned for me. Refuge has fled from me. No one cares for my soul. Against that emptiness he puts one claim — you are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living — and one request that admits where he is: bring my soul out of prison. The cave is protection and confinement at once, which is exactly the psalm's problem.
Psalm 142 is prayed with nobody else there. Psalm 143 admits that nobody would help even if they could.
142:1–7 — No one cares for my soul
A cave psalm, and the loneliest line in it is verse 4: LOOK ON MY RIGHT, AND SEE. The right hand is where a defender stands, and he is asking God to look at the empty space. 'No one CARES for my soul' is the whole complaint. And what he asks for at the end is not rescue for its own sake but company — the righteous surrounding him.
1 A contemplation by David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. I cry with my voice to Yahweh. With my voice, I ask Yahweh for mercy. 2 I pour out my complaint before him. I tell him my troubles. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, you knew my route. On the path in which I walk, they have hidden a snare for me. 4 Look on my right, and see; for there is no one who is concerned for me. Refuge has fled from me. No one cares for my soul. 5 I cried to you, Yahweh. I said, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” 6 Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need. Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. 7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me, for you will be good to me.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).