Psalms 142:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Maschil {H4905} of David {H1732}; A Prayer {H8605} when he was in the cave {H4631}. I cried {H2199} unto the LORD {H3068} with my voice {H6963}; with my voice {H6963} unto the LORD {H3068} did I make my supplication {H2603}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer: With my voice I cry to ADONAI, with my voice I plead to ADONAI for mercy.

Berean Standard Bible

I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy.

American Standard Version

I cry with my voice unto Jehovah; With my voice unto Jehovah do I make supplication.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 142:1 introduces a profound prayer of distress and desperate reliance, attributed to David and designated as a "Maschil"—an instructional or contemplative psalm. The superscription immediately transports the reader to a moment of extreme vulnerability and isolation, as David cries out to the Lord from the confines of a cave, emphasizing his earnest and vocal supplication in a time of profound personal danger and helplessness. This verse sets the stage for a heartfelt lament that serves as both an outpouring of anguish and a testament to unwavering trust in God amidst overwhelming circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 142 is a classic individual lament, a genre within the Psalter characterized by a cry of distress, a plea for divine intervention, expressions of trust in God's character, and often a vow of future praise. The superscription, "Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave," is not merely an introductory note but a crucial interpretive key. It immediately establishes the psalm's genre as didactic ("Maschil") and provides the specific, dire narrative backdrop for the entire prayer, framing the subsequent verses as an outpouring of David's heart from a place of extreme vulnerability and isolation. This psalm follows others that also articulate David's reliance on God amidst persecution, such as [Psalm 140](/psalms/140 "Psalm 140 - A Prayer for Deliverance from Evil") and [Psalm 141](/psalms/141 "Psalm 141 - A Prayer for Protection from Sin"). The opening verse, with its emphatic repetition of David's vocal cry, prepares the reader for the deep anguish and fervent petition that will unfold, where he pours out his complaint before the Lord and declares his utter helplessness, as seen in [Psalms 142:2-3](/psalms/142-2-3 "Psalms 142:2-3 - David Pours Out His Complaint and Declares Helplessness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription, "when he was in the cave," points to a specific, perilous period in David's life, most likely during his relentless flight from King Saul, who sought his life. This could refer to the [cave of Adullam](/1_samuel/22-1 "1 Samuel 22:1 - David Flees to the Cave of Adullam"), where he gathered a group of distressed, indebted, and discontented men, or the [caves of En-gedi](/1_samuel/24-3 "1 Samuel 24:3 - David Spares Saul in the Cave of En-gedi"), where he famously had the opportunity to kill Saul but refrained. In either scenario, the "cave" transcends a mere physical location; it powerfully symbolizes a place of extreme danger, isolation, confinement, and profound vulnerability. Culturally, caves served as natural shelters but were also common hiding places for outlaws, fugitives, or those facing imminent threat. For David, the anointed king-in-waiting, being reduced to hiding in a cave underscored his complete dependence on divine intervention rather than human strength, political maneuvering, or military power. This precarious situation highlights a recurring biblical theme: God often uses moments of extreme weakness and desperation to demonstrate His sovereign power and faithfulness, especially in the lives of His chosen leaders.
* **Key Themes:** This opening verse immediately introduces several foundational themes that resonate throughout Psalm 142 and the broader Psalter. The most prominent is **Earnest Prayer in Distress**, highlighted by the repeated phrase, "I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication." This emphasizes the intensity, directness, and vocal nature of David's desperate plea, underscoring the universal human need to express profound anguish and hope to a listening God. Closely related is the theme of **Vulnerability and Exclusive Reliance on God**, as being "in the cave" symbolizes a state of utter helplessness, isolation, and the absence of human aid. Yet, it is precisely in this vulnerable position that David turns exclusively to the Lord, demonstrating that true security is found not in physical defenses or worldly power but in divine protection. Finally, the verse subtly introduces **God as the Ultimate Refuge and Deliverer**, setting the stage for David's explicit declaration in [Psalms 142:5](/psalms/142-5 "Psalms 142:5 - God is My Refuge and Portion"), where he states, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." This theme is a cornerstone of the Psalms, where God is consistently portrayed as a [fortress, shield, and refuge](/psalms/18-2 "Psalms 18:2 - The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer") for His people in times of trouble.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Maschil (Hebrew, _maskîyl'_):** From H4905, derived from the root `sakal` (שָׂכַל), meaning to be prudent, to understand, or to prosper. `Maskîyl` refers to an "instructive," "contemplative," or "didactic" poem or psalm. It suggests that this prayer, born out of deep distress, is not merely an emotional outburst but holds significant didactic value, intended to teach or provide insight into the nature of prayer, trust, and God's faithfulness in times of suffering. It implies a structured reflection on David's experience, meant to edify and instruct the reader.
* **cave (Hebrew, _mᵉʻârâh'_):** From H4631, derived from the root `ʻûr` (עוּר), meaning to be naked, exposed, or dark. A `mᵉʻârâh` is literally a cavern, grotto, or den. In this context, it powerfully symbolizes David's physical confinement, isolation, and extreme vulnerability. It is a place of hiding, but also one of profound danger and potential despair, emphasizing his precarious situation and the absence of human help, forcing his complete reliance on God.
* **cried (Hebrew, _zâʻaq'_):** From H2199, a primitive root meaning to shriek (from anguish or danger), or to call aloud. `Zâʻaq` conveys an urgent, desperate, and often loud cry for help, typically used in contexts of distress, oppression, or invasion. It is a primal, uninhibited expression of intense need, indicating that David's prayer was not a quiet meditation but a fervent, vocal outcry from the depths of his being, signifying extreme urgency and earnestness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave."**: This is the psalm's superscription, providing crucial interpretive keys for understanding the subsequent verses. "Maschil" immediately signals the psalm's instructional or contemplative nature, indicating that it is meant to impart wisdom or understanding through David's profound experience. Attributing it to "David" grounds the prayer in the historical figure known for his deep, often tumultuous, relationship with God and his numerous trials. The phrase "A Prayer when he was in the cave" specifies the dire circumstances and emotional state that prompted this desperate appeal, immediately painting a vivid picture of isolation, vulnerability, and extreme danger.
* **"I cried unto the LORD with my voice;"**: This marks the direct commencement of David's prayer, shifting from the interpretive superscription to his personal outcry. The verb "cried" (Hebrew: `zâʻaq`) denotes a loud, urgent, and desperate appeal, conveying an intensity far beyond a whisper or silent thought. The direct object "unto the LORD" (Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel) emphasizes that his cry is directed to the only one who possesses the power and covenant faithfulness to truly help. The inclusion of "with my voice" underscores the intensity, sincerity, and physical exertion involved in this heartfelt communication, signifying that his entire being was engaged in this desperate appeal.
* **"with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication."**: This second clause functions as a powerful example of synonymous parallelism, echoing and intensifying the meaning of the first. The repetition of "with my voice unto the LORD" serves to reinforce the direct, vocal, and fervent nature of his prayer, emphasizing its earnestness and the singular focus of his plea. "Did I make my supplication" (Hebrew: `chânan`, related to `tᵉphillâh` for "prayer" and `tᵉḥinnâ` for "supplication") clarifies the *nature* of his cry: it is a humble plea for grace, favor, and mercy, born out of deep humility and complete dependence. This is not a demand, but a fervent request for divine intervention from a position of utter helplessness, acknowledging God's sovereign prerogative to bestow favor.

#### Literary Devices
The opening verse of Psalm 142 employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning and emotional impact. The **Superscription** itself serves as a crucial framing device, immediately establishing the psalm's authorship, its genre as a **Maschil** (didactic or contemplative), and the specific, dire historical context ("when he was in the cave"). This sets the emotional and theological stage for the entire prayer, inviting the reader to learn from David's experience. Within the prayer itself, the most prominent device is **Repetition**, specifically the emphatic reiteration of "with my voice unto the LORD." This is not mere redundancy but a powerful rhetorical technique that underscores the intensity, earnestness, and directness of David's desperate appeal. It highlights that his prayer was not a silent meditation but a vocal, fervent outpouring from the depths of his being, engaging his entire person. Furthermore, the two main clauses of the prayer ("I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication") exhibit clear **Synonymous Parallelism**. The second clause restates and reinforces the meaning of the first, intensifying the sense of a desperate, earnest plea for divine intervention and emphasizing the unified nature of David's cry and supplication. Finally, the "cave" functions as potent **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical hiding place but also a metaphorical space of isolation, vulnerability, danger, and profound helplessness, from which David's only recourse is to cry out to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 142:1 lays the theological groundwork for understanding prayer as a direct, earnest, and often vocal cry to God, especially in moments of extreme distress and isolation. It highlights that true refuge and help are found not in human strength, clever strategies, or favorable circumstances, but solely and exclusively in the Lord. This verse underscores the profound paradox that vulnerability can be the very pathway to deeper dependence on God, transforming a place of despair (the cave) into a sanctuary where divine encounter occurs. It affirms God's attentiveness to the desperate pleas of His children, establishing a pattern of lament that moves from anguish to trust—a hallmark of many psalms and a foundational aspect of biblical faith. This profound reliance on God as the ultimate deliverer is a central theme throughout the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative, demonstrating that even the greatest heroes of faith experienced moments of utter helplessness, yet found their strength and salvation in Yahweh alone.

* [Psalms 57:1](/psalms/57-1 "Psalms 57:1 - Be Merciful to Me, O God, Be Merciful to Me!"): "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." (Another Davidic prayer from a cave, emphasizing refuge in God's mercy and protection).
* [Psalms 63:1](/psalms/63-1 "Psalms 63:1 - O God, You Are My God; Earnestly I Seek You"): "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;" (Another Davidic psalm written in the wilderness, expressing deep longing and desperate seeking for God in a desolate and vulnerable place).
* [Lamentations 3:55-57](/lamentations/3-55-57 "Lamentations 3:55-57 - I Called Upon Your Name, O LORD, from the Depths of the Pit"): "I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not." (A powerful parallel to crying out from a desperate, confined situation, and God's faithful response).

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 142:1 offers profound encouragement and practical guidance for believers navigating their own "caves" of despair, isolation, or overwhelming difficulty in contemporary life. It reminds us that our most desperate moments are not barriers to prayer but rather powerful catalysts for it, inviting us into a deeper, more authentic communion with God. There is immense spiritual value in expressing our deepest fears, anguish, and needs directly and vocally to God, just as David did. This verse challenges us to move beyond silent, perhaps even resigned, contemplation when our souls are overwhelmed and to engage our whole being—our voice, our will, our desperation—in a fervent cry to the Lord. It offers immense reassurance that no matter how isolated, vulnerable, or helpless our circumstances may feel, God is attentive to the sincere, earnest prayers of His children. Furthermore, it highlights that times of extreme vulnerability, though undeniably painful, can become profound opportunities for spiritual growth, deepening our absolute reliance on God as our ultimate deliverer and refuge. When all other avenues of human help are closed, the "cave" ironically becomes the very place where we discover God's unshakeable sufficiency and unwavering presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "caves" in your life today—situations that make you feel isolated, vulnerable, or desperate?**
* **How does David's vocal, earnest prayer challenge or affirm your own prayer habits, especially in times of profound distress?**
* **In what ways can a crisis or feeling of utter helplessness lead to a deeper, more authentic dependence on God?**
* **How does knowing that God hears desperate pleas change your perspective on difficult circumstances and your approach to prayer within them?**

### FAQ
**What does "Maschil" mean in the superscription?**

Answer: "Maschil" (Hebrew: `maskîyl`) is a technical term found in the superscriptions of 13 Psalms, including [Psalm 142](/psalms/142 "Psalm 142 - A Prayer of One in a Cave"). It generally means "instructive," "contemplative," or "didactic." It suggests that the psalm is intended to impart wisdom, understanding, or insight, often derived from a deep personal experience of suffering or revelation. In the case of Psalm 142, it implies that David's desperate prayer from the cave is not just a personal lament but a divinely inspired lesson for others on how to pray, trust God, and find refuge in times of extreme distress and isolation.

**Which "cave" is Psalm 142:1 referring to historically?**

Answer: While the superscription does not specify a particular cave, biblical scholars generally associate this psalm with David's flight from King Saul, who relentlessly pursued him. The most commonly suggested historical locations are the [cave of Adullam](/1_samuel/22-1 "1 Samuel 22:1 - David Flees to the Cave of Adullam") or the [caves of En-gedi](/1_samuel/24-3 "1 Samuel 24:3 - David Spares Saul at En-gedi"). Both narratives depict David in a state of extreme vulnerability, hiding from his persecutor, and relying solely on God for protection and deliverance. Therefore, the "cave" serves as a powerful symbol of his isolation, danger, and utter dependence on divine intervention, rather than a single, definitively identified geographical location.

**Why is the phrase "with my voice unto the LORD" repeated in this verse?**

Answer: The repetition of "with my voice unto the LORD" serves as a powerful literary device to emphasize the intensity, earnestness, and directness of David's prayer. It highlights that his cry was not a silent, internal meditation but a fervent, vocal outpouring from the depths of his being. This double emphasis underscores the desperation of his situation and his complete engagement in seeking God's help. It signifies that his entire being—his physical voice and his spiritual will—was directed towards Yahweh in a moment of profound need, making his supplication undeniable and deeply personal. It also conveys the sheer volume and urgency of his desperate appeal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 142:1, with its raw depiction of David's desperate cry from the "cave" of isolation and peril, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the life and redemptive work of Jesus. Just as David, the anointed king, was driven to a place of utter vulnerability and isolation, so too was Jesus, the true King and Son of David, led into moments of profound distress where He cried out to His Father. We witness this most vividly in the [Garden of Gethsemane](/luke/22-44 "Luke 22:44 - Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane"), where Jesus, "being in agony... prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." This was a cry from His own "cave" of impending suffering and isolation, echoing David's fervent plea for deliverance. The author of Hebrews powerfully notes that Jesus "offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death" ([Hebrews 5:7](/hebrews/5-7 "Hebrews 5:7 - Christ's Prayers and Obedience")), demonstrating His full humanity and identification with our desperate cries. Ultimately, David's cry from the cave foreshadows the ultimate cry of the Lamb of God from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), a cry that plumbed the depths of human and divine abandonment, yet was ultimately heard and answered in the resurrection. Jesus, our great High Priest, understands our cries from our "caves" of despair because He Himself experienced the deepest human anguish and now intercedes for us from the heavenly sanctuary ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")), making our desperate supplications heard and answered by the Father, securing our ultimate deliverance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 57:1

¶ To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until [these] calamities be overpast.

Psalms 30:8

I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.

Psalms 141:1

¶ A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

1 Samuel 24:3

And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where [was] a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.

Psalms 77:1

¶ To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, [even] unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.

Psalms 77:2

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.

1 Chronicles 4:10

And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep [me] from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.