During the years I worked taking care of seniors, there were times some would ask me to read verses of scripture to them. Psalm 142 was one I was asked to read several times, especially verses 1 through 4, when they were feeling alone, lonely, forgotten by family members. As I would read them, it was clear the verses were relaying the very feelings of the sad weak soul listening. I'd find myself fighting back tears. I would read them, and then ask them how they felt about the words read to them, and try to get them to talk. They needed someone to listen, to care.
Psa 142:1 Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
Psa 142:2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
Psa 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
Psa 142:4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
F.B. Meyer gives us comfort in this analogy of David's plight:
“NO MAN CARED FOR MY SOUL”
The cave was dark and shared by rough and lawless men with whom David had little sympathy. His gentle and devout spirit must often have craved for more congenial society. But he never ceased to cry and make supplication whenever his spirit was overwhelmed. Are you in that plight? Be comforted by the reflection that God knows your path. It is the predestined way, Eph_2:10. Before the heavens or earth were made it was prepared. God foreknew all its perplexities and difficulties-how dark the shadows, how fearsome the black current-but He chose it as your best way home. Are all faces averted? Does no one seem to care? Is your soul in prison, and are your persecutors strong? Be of good cheer! Reinforcements of divine grace are on their way; the righteous shall crown themselves because of you; and you will say with your dying breath, “He has dealt bountifully with me.”
David's suffering was a prophetic example of the heartache, and abandonment of everyone, including the disciples when Jesus hung alone on the cross.
Mat 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Everything a person can experience, Jesus knows of it, and has tasted it. There's nothing I or you will ever go through that the Lord hasn't passed through before us. When talking to the ones who asked for Psalm 142 to be read, I'd look for an opportunity to read the verses below to them, for comfort and to raise their spirits, and faith.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Yes, he's gone through it all; and overcome. Now he stands before the Father interceding for his people. I may fall, may stumble, but He has promised to never leave nor forsake me; or you if you've put your trust in Him.
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
When in a dark pit as David was, and feeling forsaken, I do what David did, cry out to God, and not give up. At the end of Psalm 142 David gives us the key to our plight:
Psa 142:5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
Psa 142:6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
Psa 142:7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
When I was able to, I'd leave these dear folks with the last verses of David's Psalm, as a stamp of victory because that is how David meant it. It usually brought comfort, and a smile on their faces, and helped them to know they are not alone, God loved them, and had not abandoned them.
God sees, and knows your situation also. Whatever it may be, and He is waiting and willing to hear your hearts cry.
Lorna Couillard
Psa 142:1 Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
Psa 142:2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
Psa 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
Psa 142:4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
F.B. Meyer gives us comfort in this analogy of David's plight:
“NO MAN CARED FOR MY SOUL”
The cave was dark and shared by rough and lawless men with whom David had little sympathy. His gentle and devout spirit must often have craved for more congenial society. But he never ceased to cry and make supplication whenever his spirit was overwhelmed. Are you in that plight? Be comforted by the reflection that God knows your path. It is the predestined way, Eph_2:10. Before the heavens or earth were made it was prepared. God foreknew all its perplexities and difficulties-how dark the shadows, how fearsome the black current-but He chose it as your best way home. Are all faces averted? Does no one seem to care? Is your soul in prison, and are your persecutors strong? Be of good cheer! Reinforcements of divine grace are on their way; the righteous shall crown themselves because of you; and you will say with your dying breath, “He has dealt bountifully with me.”
David's suffering was a prophetic example of the heartache, and abandonment of everyone, including the disciples when Jesus hung alone on the cross.
Mat 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Everything a person can experience, Jesus knows of it, and has tasted it. There's nothing I or you will ever go through that the Lord hasn't passed through before us. When talking to the ones who asked for Psalm 142 to be read, I'd look for an opportunity to read the verses below to them, for comfort and to raise their spirits, and faith.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Yes, he's gone through it all; and overcome. Now he stands before the Father interceding for his people. I may fall, may stumble, but He has promised to never leave nor forsake me; or you if you've put your trust in Him.
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
When in a dark pit as David was, and feeling forsaken, I do what David did, cry out to God, and not give up. At the end of Psalm 142 David gives us the key to our plight:
Psa 142:5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
Psa 142:6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
Psa 142:7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
When I was able to, I'd leave these dear folks with the last verses of David's Psalm, as a stamp of victory because that is how David meant it. It usually brought comfort, and a smile on their faces, and helped them to know they are not alone, God loved them, and had not abandoned them.
God sees, and knows your situation also. Whatever it may be, and He is waiting and willing to hear your hearts cry.
Lorna Couillard
