Psalms 142:6

KJV

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

KJV (with Strong's)

Attend {H7181} unto my cry {H7440}; for I am brought {H1809} very {H3966} low {H1809}: deliver {H5337} me from my persecutors {H7291}; for they are stronger {H553} than I.

Complete Jewish Bible

Listen to my cry, for I have been brought very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.

Berean Standard Bible

Listen to my cry, for I am brought quite low. Rescue me from my pursuers, for they are too strong for me.

American Standard Version

Attend unto my cry; For I am brought very low: Deliver me from my persecutors; For they are stronger than I.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 142:6 is a fervent cry for divine intervention from David, who finds himself in a state of extreme vulnerability and oppression. Captured within a desperate plea for God's attention and deliverance, the verse articulates the psalmist's profound sense of being utterly "brought very low" and overwhelmed by adversaries whose strength far surpasses his own. It is a raw expression of human helplessness, underscoring an absolute reliance on God as the sole source of rescue amidst relentless persecution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 142 is a *Maskil* of David, a prayer he offered "when he was in the cave." This superscription immediately sets the scene for a psalm of lament, characterized by David pouring out his complaint and distress before the Lord. The preceding verses (Psalms 142:1-5) establish David's profound isolation and despair, noting that "no one cared for my soul" and he had "no refuge." Verse 6 serves as the climactic petition, summarizing his desperate condition and urgent need for divine action, building upon the emotional intensity and vulnerability expressed earlier in the psalm. It transitions from a description of his plight to a direct, impassioned plea for rescue.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription "when he was in the cave" most likely refers to David's flight from King Saul, as recounted in [1 Samuel 22:1](/1_samuel/22-1 "1 Samuel 22:1 - David in the Cave of Adullam") (the cave of Adullam) or [1 Samuel 24:3](/1_samuel/24-3 "1 Samuel 24:3 - David in the Cave of En Gedi"). During this period, David was a fugitive, constantly hunted by Saul's forces, living in desolate wilderness areas and caves. This historical setting explains his profound sense of being "brought very low" and surrounded by "persecutors" who were literally "stronger than I" in terms of military might and royal authority. Culturally, desperate pleas to God from those unjustly pursued were common in ancient Israelite laments, reflecting a deep-seated belief in Yahweh as the ultimate defender of the helpless and the oppressed.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout the Psalms and the broader narrative of David's life. **Desperate Supplication** is paramount, as David's opening words, "Attend unto my cry," reveal an urgent, heartfelt appeal for God's immediate attention and intervention, echoing the cries of the afflicted found in [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The Righteous Cry Out to the Lord"). The theme of **Profound Vulnerability** is central, with the phrase "for I am brought very low" underscoring David's deep sense of weakness, humiliation, and despair, highlighting his utter dependence on God. This vulnerability is contrasted with the theme of **Overwhelming Adversaries**, as David acknowledges the superior power of his enemies ("for they are stronger than I"), emphasizing the necessity of divine strength. Ultimately, the core request "deliver me from my persecutors" points to the overarching theme of **Divine Deliverance**, a foundational trust that only God can provide the necessary protection and liberation from overwhelming forces, a theme often seen in David's life, such as his victory over Goliath in [1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Attend (Hebrew, _qâshab'_):** This word, H7181, means "to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken; attend, (cause to) hear(-ken), give heed, incline, mark (well), regard." It conveys an urgent plea for God to not merely hear, but to listen intently and give careful consideration to the psalmist's desperate cry. It implies a request for active, focused attention, not just passive awareness.
* **Brought very low (Hebrew, _dâlal'_ H1809, _mᵉʼôd'_ H3966):** The root H1809, *dâlal*, means "to slacken or be feeble; figuratively, to be oppressed; bring low, dry up, be emptied, be not equal, fail, be impoverished, be made thin." Coupled with H3966 (*mᵉʼôd*, "very" or "exceedingly"), it paints a vivid picture of extreme physical, emotional, and social prostration. David is not just low; he is utterly depleted, weakened, and oppressed to the point of utter helplessness.
* **Deliver (Hebrew, _nâtsal'_):** This verb, H5337, signifies "to snatch away, whether in a good or in a bad sense; defend, deliver (self), escape, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save." It is a strong term for urgent rescue, implying a swift and decisive act of pulling someone out of danger or oppression. David is asking for a complete and immediate liberation from his perilous situation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Attend unto my cry":** This is an imperative plea, a direct address to God, imploring Him to listen with focused attention to the psalmist's desperate "cry" (H7440, *rinnâh*, which can denote a shout of joy or grief, here clearly grief/distress). It sets the tone of urgent supplication, indicating a profound need for divine intervention.
* **"for I am brought very low":** This clause provides the immediate justification for the plea. It describes David's utterly debilitated state, emphasizing his extreme vulnerability, weakness, and oppression. He is at his lowest point, physically, emotionally, and socially, unable to help himself.
* **"deliver me from my persecutors":** This is the specific request for rescue. David identifies his active enemies (H7291, *râdaph*, "to pursue, chase, or harass") as the source of his distress and asks God to "snatch him away" from their relentless pursuit. It's a plea for liberation from external, hostile forces.
* **"for they are stronger than I":** This final clause offers the ultimate reason why divine deliverance is essential. It is a frank admission of David's human inadequacy and the overwhelming power of his adversaries (H553, *ʼâmats*, "to be alert, physically or mentally; be strong, stronger, prevail"). He acknowledges his inability to overcome them by his own strength, thereby magnifying the need for God's superior power.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 142:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey David's desperate state and urgent plea. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, as David directly addresses God ("Attend unto my cry; deliver me"), creating an immediate and intimate connection between the psalmist and the divine listener. There is also clear **Parallelism** in the structure, particularly the use of two "for" clauses ("for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I"). These clauses function as explanatory or justificatory parallelism, providing reasons for the preceding petitions. The phrase "brought very low" utilizes **Hyperbole** or **Intensification** to emphasize the extreme depth of David's despair and weakness, making his plight more vivid. Similarly, "they are stronger than I" uses **Understatement** (or a stark, honest admission) to highlight the vast disparity in power, thereby amplifying the need for God's overwhelming strength. The entire verse functions as a concise **Lament**, a common genre in the Psalms where the speaker expresses distress and appeals to God for help.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the theological truth of human dependence on divine power, especially in moments of extreme weakness and persecution. It underscores God's character as the Hearer of prayer and the ultimate Deliverer for those who are helpless. David's willingness to admit his utter weakness and the superior strength of his enemies is not a sign of defeat but an act of profound faith, recognizing that only God's omnipotence can overcome what is humanly impossible. This humility opens the door for God's power to be magnified, teaching us that our greatest strength is often found in acknowledging our deepest weakness before the Almighty. The verse also touches on the theme of the suffering righteous, a recurring motif in the Psalms, where faithful individuals endure hardship and injustice but maintain their trust in God's eventual vindication.
* [Psalm 18:17](/psalms/18-17 "Psalm 18:17 - God Delivers from Strong Enemies")
* [Psalm 40:17](/psalms/40-17 "Psalm 40:17 - The Lord Thinks of Me")
* [Psalm 46:1](/pslams/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 142:6 offers a powerful template for believers facing overwhelming odds and deep despair. In moments when life's circumstances, spiritual attacks, or relational conflicts bring us "very low," this verse invites us into a posture of radical dependence on God. It teaches us the spiritual discipline of honest lament, where we are encouraged to articulate our deepest fears, vulnerabilities, and the overwhelming nature of our adversaries directly to God. There is profound freedom and strength in admitting our personal limitations and acknowledging that our challenges are "stronger than I." This humility is not a sign of weakness but an act of faith that creates space for God's omnipotence to be fully displayed. Just as David found refuge and deliverance in God alone, we too are reminded that our ultimate hope and rescue come not from our own strength or ingenuity, but from the faithful, attentive, and delivering hand of our sovereign Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you felt "brought very low" by circumstances or opposition, and how did you respond?**
* **What does it mean to "attend unto my cry" in your personal prayer life? Are you truly pouring out your heart to God?**
* **How does acknowledging your own weakness and the superior strength of your "persecutors" (whether people, circumstances, or spiritual forces) open the door for God's power in your life?**
* **In what specific area of your life do you need God to "deliver" you today, and how does this verse encourage you to trust Him for that deliverance?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that David was "brought very low"?**

The phrase "brought very low" (Hebrew: *dâlal mᵉʼôd*) signifies a state of extreme physical, emotional, and social prostration. It implies being utterly weakened, impoverished, humiliated, and oppressed. In David's context, as a fugitive in a cave, it speaks to his complete lack of resources, human support, and personal power, making him feel utterly helpless and vulnerable before his enemies. It's a confession of his absolute inability to overcome his circumstances by his own strength or means.

**How does this psalm relate to other psalms of lament?**

Psalm 142 is a classic example of an individual lament psalm, sharing many characteristics with other psalms in this genre. Like many laments (e.g., [Psalm 22](/psalms/22 "Psalm 22 - A Psalm of Suffering and Triumph"), [Psalm 69](/psalms/69 "Psalm 69 - A Psalm of Deep Distress")), it begins with an address to God, expresses deep complaint and distress, describes the psalmist's suffering and the actions of his enemies, and concludes with a plea for deliverance and often an expression of trust or vow of praise. The specific elements of isolation, lack of human help, and the overwhelming power of adversaries are common themes in psalms where the righteous suffer unjustly.

**What does "persecutors" imply about David's situation?**

The term "persecutors" (Hebrew: *râdaph*) implies active, relentless, and hostile pursuit. It suggests that David's enemies were not merely passive threats but were actively hounding him, seeking to capture or destroy him. This aligns perfectly with the historical context of David fleeing King Saul, who repeatedly sought to kill him (e.g., [1 Samuel 23:25](/1_samuel/23-25 "1 Samuel 23:25 - Saul's Pursuit of David")). The word evokes a sense of being hunted, constantly on the run, and under immense pressure, highlighting the urgency of David's plea for divine intervention.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 142:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David cried out from a cave, brought low by human persecutors, Jesus, the Son of David, was "brought very low" for the sake of humanity, enduring unimaginable suffering and humiliation. He cried out to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death" ([Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")), a plea for divine attention echoing David's "Attend unto my cry." He was pursued and ultimately crucified by spiritual and earthly "persecutors" who were indeed "stronger than I" in human terms, wielding the power of sin, death, and the devil. Yet, in His utter weakness on the cross, Jesus fully entrusted Himself to the Father, believing in divine deliverance. The Father "delivered" Him not from death, but *through* death, raising Him from the grave and demonstrating His ultimate victory over all persecutors and the power of darkness ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus From the Dead")). Thus, Jesus embodies the perfect sufferer who was "brought very low" yet perfectly trusted in God's deliverance, becoming the ultimate Deliverer for all who are oppressed by sin and death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Frees from Fear of Death")). His resurrection is the definitive answer to the cry for deliverance from overwhelming forces, offering eternal hope to all who feel "brought very low."

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 79:8

O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.

Psalms 116:6

The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

Psalms 136:23

¶ Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:

Psalms 17:1

¶ A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, [that goeth] not out of feigned lips.

Psalms 59:3

For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not [for] my transgression, nor [for] my sin, O LORD.

1 Samuel 24:14

After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

Psalms 3:1

¶ A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many [are] they that rise up against me.