TRV
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 142 verses 4–7
The psalmist here tells us, for our instruction, 1. How he was disowned and deserted by his friends, Psa 142:4. When he was in favour at court he seemed to have a great interest, but when he was made an out-law, and it was dangerous for any one to harbour him (witness Ahimelech's fate), then no man would know him, but every body was shy of him. He looked on his right hand for an advocate (Psa 109:31), some friend or other to speak a good word for him; but, since Jonathan's appearing for him had like to have cost him his life, nobody was willing to venture in defence of his innocency, but all were ready to say they knew nothing of the matter. He looked round to see if any would open their doors to him; but refuge failed him. None of all his old friends would give him a night's lodging, or direct him to any place of secresy and safety. How many good men have been deceived by such swallow-friends, who are gone when winter comes! David's life was exceedingly precious, and yet, when he was unjustly proscribed, no man cared for it, nor would move a hand for the protection of it. Herein he was a type of Christ, who, in his sufferings for us, was forsaken of all men, even of his own disciples, and trod the wine-press alone, for there was none to help, none to uphold, Isa 63:5. 2. How he then found satisfaction in God, Psa 142:5. Lovers and friends stood aloof from him, and it was in vain to call to them. "But," said he, "I cried unto thee, O Lord! who knowest me, and carest for me, when none else will, and wilt not fail me nor forsake me when men do;" for God is constant in his love. David tells us what he said to God in the cave: "Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living; I depend upon thee to be so, my refuge to save me from being miserable, my portion to make me happy. The cave I am in is but a poor refuge. Lord, thy name is the strong tower that I run into. Thou art my refuge, in whom alone I shall think myself safe. The crown I am in hopes of is but a poor portion; I can never think myself well provided for till I know that the Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup." Those who in sincerity take the Lord for their God shall find him all-sufficient both as a refuge and as a portion, so that, as no evil shall hurt them, so no good shall be wanting to them; and they may humbly claim their interest: "Lord, thou art my refuge and my portion; every thing else is a refuge of lies and a portion of no value. Thou art so in the land of the living, that is, while I live and have my being, whether in this world or in a better." There is enough in God to answer all the necessities of this present time. We live in a world of dangers and wants; but what danger need we fear if God is our refuge, or what wants if he be our portion? Heaven, which alone deserves to be called the land of the living, will be to all believers both a refuge and a portion. 3. How, in this satisfaction, he addressed himself to God (Psa 142:5, Psa 142:6): "Lord, give a gracious ear to my cry, the cry of my affliction, the cry of my supplication, for I am brought very low, and, if thou help me not, I shall be quite sunk. Lord, deliver me from my persecutors, either tie their hands or turn their hearts, break their power or blast their projects, restrain them or rescue me, for they are stronger than I, and it will be thy honour to take part with the weakest. Deliver me from them, or I shall be ruined by them, for I am not yet myself a match for them. Lord, bring my soul out of prison, not only bring me safe out of this cave, but bring me out of all my perplexities." We may apply it spiritually: the souls of good men are often straitened by doubts and fears, cramped and fettered through the weakness of faith and the prevalency of corruption; and it is then their duty and interest to apply themselves to God, and beg of him to set them at liberty and to enlarge their hearts, that they may run the way of his commandments. 4. How much he expected his deliverance would redound to the glory of God. (1.) By his own thanksgivings, into which his present complaints would then be turned: "Bring my soul out of prison, not that I may enjoy myself and my friends and live at ease, no, nor that I may secure my country, but that I may praise thy name." This we should have an eye to, in all our prayers to God for deliverance out of trouble, that we may have occasion to praise God and may live to his praise. This is the greatest comfort of temporal mercies that they furnish us with matter, and give us opportunity, for the excellent duty of praise. (2.) By the thanksgivings of many on his behalf (Co2 1:11): "When I am enlarged the righteous shall encompass me about; for my cause they shall make thee a crown of praise, so the Chaldee. They shall flock about me to congratulate me on my deliverance, to hear my experiences, and to receive (Maschil) instructions from me; they shall encompass me, to join with me in my thanksgivings, because thou shalt have dealt bountifully with me." Note, The mercies of others ought to be the matter of our praises to God; and the praises of others, on our behalf, ought to be both desired and rejoiced in by us.
"Give heed unto my prayer, for much have I been humbled" [Psalm 142:6]. Humbled by persecutors, humbled in confession. He humbles himself out of the sight of man: he is humbled by enemies in their sight. Therefore is he lifted up by Him both visibly and invisibly. Invisibly are the martyrs already lifted up; visibly shall they be lifted up, "when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption" in the resurrection of the dead; when this very part of him, against which alone her persecutors could rage, shall be renewed. "Fear not them that kill the body, but cannot kill the soul." [Matthew 10:28] And what perishes? What kill they?...Why then are you anxious about the rest of your members, when you shall not lose even a hair? "Deliver me from them that persecute me." From whom do you think that he prays to be delivered? From men who persecuted him? Is it so? Are merely men our enemies? We have other enemies, invisible, who persecute us in another way. Man persecutes, that he may slay the body; another persecutes, that he ensnare the soul. [Ephesians 2:2] ...There are then other enemies of ours too, from whom we ought to pray God to deliver us, lest they lead us astray, either by crushing us with troubles of this world, or alluring us by its enticements. Who are these enemies? Let us see whether they are plainly described by any servant of the Lord, by any soldier, now perfected, who has engaged with them. Hear the Apostle saying, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood:" [Ephesians 6:12] as though he would say, Turn not your hatred against men; think not them your enemies; think not that it is by their hostility you are being bruised; these men whom you fear are flesh and blood...."For they are strengthened over me." Who said, "they are strengthened over me"? The Body of Christ cries out; it is the voice of the Church; the members of Christ cry out, "Much has the number of sinners increased." "Because iniquity has abounded, the love of many waxes cold." [Matthew 24:12]
Continue studying Psalms 142:6 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
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
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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.
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
FAQ
What does it mean that David was "brought very low"?
Answer: 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?
Answer: 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, Psalm 69), 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?
Answer: 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). 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), 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). 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). His resurrection is the definitive answer to the cry for deliverance from overwhelming forces, offering eternal hope to all who feel "brought very low."