Psalms 142:2

KJV

I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

KJV (with Strong's)

I poured out {H8210} my complaint {H7879} before {H6440} him; I shewed {H5046} before {H6440} him my trouble {H6869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Before him I pour out my complaint, before him I tell my trouble.

Berean Standard Bible

I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him.

American Standard Version

I pour out my complaint before him; I show before him my trouble.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 142:2 offers a profound insight into the raw, unvarnished prayer of David, likely composed during a period of intense isolation and distress while hiding in a cave. This verse captures his complete vulnerability and absolute reliance on God, portraying a soul in anguish pouring out its deepest fears and afflictions directly to the divine presence, underscoring the intimate and trusting nature of his relationship with the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 142 is a "Maskil," often interpreted as a contemplative or instructive psalm, and bears the superscription "A Prayer of David when he was in the cave." This places it within a collection of laments, particularly those expressing individual distress and seeking divine deliverance. The verses immediately preceding this one (Psalms 142:1) establish David's desperate cry to the Lord, emphasizing his loud and earnest appeal. Following Psalms 142:2, David continues to articulate his overwhelming sense of helplessness, noting that his spirit is overwhelmed and that no one truly cares for his soul or offers him refuge ([Psalms 142:3-4](/psalms/142-3 "Psalms 142:3-4 - My Spirit Is Overwhelmed")). The psalm culminates in a plea for rescue and a vow to praise God upon deliverance, framing verse 2 as the heart of his desperate, honest communication.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription explicitly links this psalm to a time when David was hiding in a cave, a period most likely referring to his flight from King Saul. This could be the [cave of Adullam](/1_samuel/22-1 "1 Samuel 22:1 - David Flees to Adullam"), where he gathered a band of distressed men, or the [cave of En-gedi](/1_samuel/24-3 "1 Samuel 24:3 - David in the Cave of En-gedi"), where he famously spared Saul's life. In ancient Israel, caves served as natural refuges but also symbolized isolation, vulnerability, and often, a place of last resort. David, the anointed future king, found himself reduced to a fugitive, hunted and alone. Culturally, prayer was understood as a direct address to God, often involving physical postures and vocal expressions of lament or supplication. David's act of "pouring out" his complaint reflects a deeply personal and culturally accepted mode of expressing profound distress to the divine.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 142:2 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it exemplifies **Authentic Lament and Vulnerability**, showcasing David's willingness to express his deepest pain and frustration without reservation before God. This honesty is a hallmark of many psalms of lament, inviting believers to bring their true selves to God, not just their sanitized versions. Secondly, it highlights **God as the Sole Confidant and Refuge**. In a situation where human support was absent or unreliable (as described in [Psalms 142:4](/psalms/142-4 "Psalms 142:4 - No One Cares for My Soul")), David turns exclusively to the Lord, affirming God's unique role as the ultimate listener and provider of succor. This reinforces the theme of divine sovereignty and trustworthiness. Lastly, the verse underscores the theme of **Absolute Trust in God's Presence**, even amidst overwhelming despair. David's act of "shewing" his trouble "before him" implies a belief in God's attentive presence and compassionate engagement, a foundational aspect of Israelite faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Poured out (Hebrew, _shâphak'_):** H8210, a primitive root meaning "to spill forth" or "to pour out." Figuratively, it denotes expending one's life, soul, or complaint. In this context, it conveys a complete, unrestrained, and forceful release of inner turmoil, as if emptying a vessel of its contents. It suggests an unburdening of the soul, holding nothing back.
* **Complaint (Hebrew, _sîyach'_):** H7879, derived from a root meaning "to meditate" or "to muse." It refers to a contemplation, and by implication, an utterance, often a "complaint," "meditation," or "talk." Here, it signifies the specific content of David's outpouring—his grievances, his distress, and the deep internal musings of his troubled soul, articulated directly to God.
* **Trouble (Hebrew, _tsârâh'_):** H6869, a feminine noun meaning "tightness," and figuratively, "trouble." It encompasses concepts like "adversity," "affliction," "anguish," "distress," and "tribulation." This word vividly describes the overwhelming pressure and constriction David felt, both externally from his enemies and internally from his emotional and spiritual burden.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I poured out my complaint before him;":** This clause describes an intense, visceral act of communication. David doesn't merely speak; he "pours out" his complaint, suggesting a torrent of emotion, a complete emptying of his inner burden. The phrase "before him" (Hebrew _pânîym_, H6440, meaning "face" or "presence") emphasizes the direct, personal, and intimate nature of this confession. It is not a generalized cry but a specific, face-to-face (figuratively speaking) encounter with God, where every grievance is laid bare.
* **"I shewed before him my trouble.":** This second clause reinforces and amplifies the first through synonymous parallelism. "Shewed" (Hebrew _nâgad_, H5046, "to declare," "to make known") indicates a deliberate and explicit revelation. David is not just feeling trouble; he is actively presenting it, making it visible and known to God. The repetition of "before him" reiterates the divine audience and the profound trust that God is present, attentive, and capable of perceiving the full extent of his distress. This clause highlights the intentionality of David's prayer, moving beyond mere emotional release to a conscious declaration of his desperate state.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Psalms 142:2 is **Synonymous Parallelism**. The two clauses, "I poured out my complaint before him" and "I shewed before him my trouble," express essentially the same idea in different words, reinforcing the intensity and completeness of David's confession. The act of "pouring out" his "complaint" is mirrored by "shewing" his "trouble," creating a powerful echo that deepens the emotional impact. Furthermore, the phrase "poured out" functions as a potent **Metaphor**, transforming an abstract emotional act into a tangible, physical one, conveying the overwhelming nature of David's distress and the unreserved manner in which he unburdened himself. The repetition of "before him" serves as a form of **Anaphora** (though across clauses rather than lines), emphasizing the singular focus of David's address to God and the intimate nature of his prayer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 142:2 serves as a profound theological statement about the nature of prayer and God's accessibility. It challenges any notion that believers must present a stoic or perfect facade to God, instead affirming that authentic, even raw, expression of distress is not only permissible but welcomed. David's unreserved outpouring of his "complaint" and "trouble" before God underscores the divine attribute of compassion and the readiness of the Almighty to hear the cries of His people, regardless of their emotional state. This verse teaches that God is not intimidated by human suffering or anger, but rather invites intimate communion, even in our darkest moments. It highlights God's role as the ultimate confidant, a refuge when human help fails, and a sovereign Lord who is intimately concerned with the plight of His children.

* [Psalms 62:8](/psalms/62-8 "Psalms 62:8 - Trust in God at All Times")
* [1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Cast All Your Anxiety on Him")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 142:2 offers a timeless invitation to radical honesty in our prayer lives. In a world that often pressures us to maintain a façade of strength or composure, David's example reminds us that God desires our authentic selves, including our fears, frustrations, and deepest sorrows. This verse encourages us to bring our "complaints" and "troubles" directly "before Him," trusting that He is a loving Father who not only listens but understands and cares deeply. It challenges us to shed any pretense and to pour out our hearts without reservation, recognizing that true intimacy with God blossoms in vulnerability. When we feel overwhelmed, isolated, or misunderstood by others, this passage directs us to the one true Confidant who is always present and always attentive. It reassures us that no burden is too heavy, no emotion too messy, for God to handle, fostering a deeper sense of trust and reliance on His unfailing presence and power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "complaints" or "troubles" am I holding back from God, perhaps out of fear or a sense of unworthiness?**
* **How does David's raw honesty in prayer challenge my own approach to communicating with God?**
* **In what specific ways can I practice "pouring out" my heart to God more authentically this week?**
* **How does knowing that God welcomes my "trouble" impact my sense of His character and my trust in Him?**

### FAQ
**What does "poured out my complaint" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: "Poured out my complaint" (Hebrew _shâphak sîyach_) signifies a complete and unreserved expression of inner distress, grievances, and deep emotional turmoil. It's a powerful metaphor suggesting that David emptied his soul before God, holding nothing back. It implies a full release of pent-up feelings, anxieties, and frustrations, much like pouring liquid from a container until it is empty. This highlights the depth of his anguish and the profound trust he placed in God as the sole recipient of such raw vulnerability.

**Why is it significant that David "shewed before him my trouble"?**

Answer: The phrase "shewed before him my trouble" (Hebrew _nâgad tsârâh_) reinforces the intentionality and directness of David's prayer. While "poured out" speaks to the emotional release, "shewed" emphasizes the deliberate act of presenting his "trouble" (distress, affliction, anguish) directly to God's "presence" (_pânîym_). It means he wasn't just feeling troubled; he was actively making his distress known, declaring it explicitly to the Lord. This dual expression underscores the comprehensive nature of his appeal—both an emotional unburdening and a conscious declaration of his desperate state, affirming God's attentive and responsive nature.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 142:2 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and ministry of Jesus, who perfectly embodied the act of pouring out His complaint and showing His trouble before the Father. While David cried out in the solitude of a cave, Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, "poured out" His soul in anguish, praying with such intensity that His sweat became like drops of blood ([Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Luke 22:44 - Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane")). He "shewed His trouble" to the Father, asking if the cup could pass from Him ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")), demonstrating profound vulnerability and complete reliance on divine will, even as He faced the ultimate tribulation. Jesus, our Great High Priest, fully experienced human weakness and suffering ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Understands Our Weaknesses")), making Him the perfect example and intercessor for those who, like David, are overwhelmed by trouble. Through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, Jesus became the ultimate answer to David's cry, providing the true refuge and deliverance that David longed for, enabling all believers to boldly approach the throne of grace with their own complaints and troubles ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")), knowing that in Him, their prayers are heard and their burdens are carried.

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

Romans 8:26

¶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Isaiah 26:16

LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer [when] thy chastening [was] upon them.

Psalms 62:8

¶ Trust in him at all times; [ye] people, pour out your heart before him: God [is] a refuge for us. Selah.

Hebrews 5:7

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Psalms 102:1

¶ A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.