Psalms 142:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Bring {H3318} my soul {H5315} out of prison {H4525}, that I may praise {H3034} thy name {H8034}: the righteous {H6662} shall compass me about {H3803}; for thou shalt deal bountifully {H1580} with me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Lead me out of prison, so that I can give thanks to your name; in me the righteous will be crowning themselves, because you will have treated me generously.

Berean Standard Bible

Free my soul from prison, that I may praise Your name. The righteous will gather around me because of Your goodness to me.

American Standard Version

Bring my soul out of prison, That I may give thanks unto thy name: The righteous shall compass me about; For thou wilt deal bountifully with me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 142:7 concludes David's fervent prayer from a place of profound distress and isolation, likely a cave while fleeing Saul. It is a desperate yet hopeful cry for divine liberation, articulating his desire to be freed from a metaphorical "prison" of circumstances so that he might fully and publicly praise God's name. The psalmist expresses confident expectation that God's bountiful intervention will not only deliver him but also lead to his vindication, drawing the righteous to surround him in witness to God's faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 142 is a _Maskil_, an instructional psalm, and one of David's individual laments, specifically identified as a prayer offered "when he was in the cave." It is the final psalm in a series (Psalms 140-142) that collectively depict David's intense suffering and desperate pleas for deliverance from his enemies. The preceding verses of Psalm 142 vividly portray David's utter despair: he feels overwhelmed, his spirit is faint, and he cries out that "no man knew me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul" [Psalms 142:4](/psalms/142-4 "Psalm 142:4 - David's Despair"). This concluding verse, therefore, serves as the climactic petition, transitioning from lament to an expression of confident hope rooted in God's character, anticipating a future where his suffering is transformed into an opportunity for praise and community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription attributes this psalm to David when he was in the cave, most likely referring to his time hiding from King Saul in the cave of Adullam [1 Samuel 22:1](/1_samuel/22-1 "1 Samuel 22:1 - David in the Cave of Adullam") or the caves of En-Gedi [1 Samuel 24:1-2](/1_samuel/24-1 "1 Samuel 24:1-2 - Saul Pursues David to En-Gedi"). These periods were marked by extreme danger, isolation, and a sense of being hunted. David was an anointed king-in-waiting, yet he was forced to live as a fugitive, often alone or with a small band of desperate men. Culturally, the concept of a king's vindication by God was crucial; a king's legitimacy was tied to divine favor. David's plea for deliverance and the gathering of the righteous around him reflects a desire for God to publicly affirm his innocence and rightful place, demonstrating His justice to the community.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several major themes prevalent throughout the Psalter and David's life. Foremost is the theme of **Lament and Deliverance**, where profound distress drives an earnest cry to God, demonstrating that even in the deepest pits of despair, faith can find its voice. Another key theme is **Praise as the Purpose of Deliverance**; David desires freedom not for comfort alone, but primarily to glorify God's name, illustrating that true liberation leads to worship. The verse also highlights **Divine Justice and Vindication**, as David anticipates God's righteous dealing with him, which will be evident to others. Finally, it underscores **God's Bountifulness and Faithfulness**, serving as the bedrock of David's hope, even when human support fails, echoing the trust expressed in other psalms like [Psalm 23](/psalms/23 "Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **prison (Hebrew, _maçgêr'_):** From H4525, meaning a fastener, a smith, or a prison. In this context, it signifies a literal or metaphorical place of confinement, restriction, or distress. It powerfully conveys David's feeling of being shut in, hemmed in by his enemies, circumstances, or despair, emphasizing a profound sense of entrapment rather than necessarily a physical jail cell.
* **praise (Hebrew, _yâdâh'_):** From H3034, a primitive root meaning to use (i.e., hold out) the hand; physically, to throw; but especially to revere or worship (with extended hands). Here, it refers to an act of worship, thanksgiving, and adoration directed towards God, often accompanied by physical gestures of reverence, signifying a public and unhindered glorification of His name.
* **deal bountifully (Hebrew, _gâmal'_):** From H1580, a primitive root meaning to treat a person (well or ill), to benefit or requite, or to ripen. In this verse, it conveys the strong expectation that God will act generously, graciously, and abundantly on David's behalf, providing a recompense or reward that is overflowing and beneficial, demonstrating His inherent goodness and faithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Bring my soul out of prison":** This is David's urgent and desperate plea for liberation. "My soul" (Hebrew: `nephesh`, H5315) refers to his very being, his life, his inner self. The "prison" (Hebrew: `maçgêr`, H4525) is a powerful metaphor for his overwhelming sense of confinement, distress, and entrapment, whether from physical danger, emotional despair, or the relentless pursuit of his enemies. He yearns for complete freedom for his entire being.
* **"that I may praise thy name":** The explicit purpose clause reveals David's primary motivation for seeking deliverance. His desire for freedom is not merely for personal comfort or safety, but so that he can fully and publicly glorify God's "name" (Hebrew: `shêm`, H8034), which represents God's character, reputation, and revealed nature. This highlights a deep connection between liberation from suffering and the ability to offer genuine, unhindered worship.
* **"the righteous shall compass me about":** David anticipates a future state of vindication and restoration to community. Upon God's intervention, he expects to be surrounded by those who are just and upright (Hebrew: `tsaddîyq`, H6662). This implies not only a return from isolation but also a public affirmation of his innocence and God's righteous dealings with him, serving as a testimony to others.
* **"for thou shalt deal bountifully with me":** This final clause provides the foundational reason for David's hope and confidence. His expectation of deliverance is rooted in his unwavering trust in God's character. He believes God will act generously, graciously, and abundantly (Hebrew: `gâmal`, H1580) on his behalf, providing overflowing goodness and provision, even in the darkest moments of his life.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 142:7 employs several powerful literary devices. The central device is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "Bring my soul out of prison." David is not necessarily in a literal jail, but the imagery of a "prison" vividly conveys his profound sense of confinement, despair, and being trapped by his circumstances or enemies. This metaphor amplifies the intensity of his suffering and his desperate need for liberation. The verse also utilizes a **Purpose Clause** ("that I may praise thy name"), which clearly articulates the ultimate goal of his desired deliverance, elevating his personal suffering into an opportunity for divine glorification. Furthermore, there is a strong sense of **Anticipation and Hope**, as David confidently declares "the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me," demonstrating his unwavering faith in God's future intervention and vindication despite his current plight. This anticipates a reversal of fortune and a public display of God's faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the theological truth that God is the ultimate deliverer from all forms of bondage, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. David's plea underscores that true freedom is found in God alone, and the purpose of such liberation is always to bring glory to His name. It reveals a theology of suffering where distress is not an end in itself, but a crucible that refines faith and deepens the desire to worship. The expectation of the "righteous" gathering around him speaks to the communal aspect of God's vindication, where His justice is made manifest not just to the individual but to the watching community of believers. This psalm affirms God's character as one who deals "bountifully," demonstrating His overflowing grace and provision even in the most desperate circumstances.

* [Psalms 34:1-3](/psalms/34-1 "Psalm 34:1-3 - I will bless the Lord at all times")
* [Isaiah 42:7](/isaiah/42-7 "Isaiah 42:7 - Opening the eyes of the blind, bringing out prisoners")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God shall supply all your need")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 142:7 offers profound encouragement and a blueprint for faith in the midst of overwhelming circumstances. It teaches us that even when we feel utterly trapped, isolated, and without human support, our most powerful recourse is fervent, honest prayer to God. David's example reminds us that our desire for deliverance should not be purely self-focused, but intrinsically linked to a longing to glorify God. When we are freed from our "prisons"—be they anxiety, addiction, despair, or difficult circumstances—our primary response should be unhindered praise for the One who sets us free. This verse challenges us to ground our hope not in changing circumstances or human aid, but in the unchanging character of God, who is inherently good, generous, and faithful. It invites us to trust that God's bountiful dealings will not only bring personal relief but also a public testimony to His justice, drawing others to witness His power and goodness in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "prisons" in your life (emotional, spiritual, circumstantial) do you need God to bring your soul out of today?**
* **How does your desire for deliverance connect to your desire to praise God's name? Is your worship conditional on your circumstances?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God dealing "bountifully" with you, even in difficult times?**
* **How might your deliverance or vindication by God serve as a testimony to "the righteous" around you?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "prison" is David referring to in Psalms 142:7?**

Answer: While the word `maçgêr` (H4525) can refer to a literal prison, in the context of Psalm 142, David's "prison" is primarily a powerful metaphor for his overwhelming sense of confinement, distress, and entrapment. As he fled from King Saul, David was hiding in caves, feeling hunted, isolated, and without human support (as expressed in [Psalms 142:4](/psalms/142-4 "Psalm 142:4 - David's Despair")). This "prison" therefore represents a state of profound spiritual, emotional, and circumstantial duress, where he felt utterly hemmed in by his enemies, despair, and a lack of refuge. His plea is for liberation from this all-encompassing sense of being shut in.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 142:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's cry to be brought "out of prison" echoes humanity's universal spiritual bondage to sin and death, a far greater prison from which no one can escape by their own strength. Jesus, the true Son of David, came to proclaim "liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound" ([Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me"), quoted by Jesus in [Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Christ broke the chains of sin and death, bringing our souls out of the ultimate spiritual prison. His deliverance enables us to truly "praise thy name," for He has given us a new song of redemption and a freedom to worship God in spirit and truth ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshippers")). Furthermore, as God dealt "bountifully" with David, He has dealt immeasurably more bountifully with us in Christ, granting us "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). The "righteous" who compass David about prefigure the church, the redeemed community, gathered around Christ, witnessing His triumph and living in the freedom He secured, proclaiming His mighty deeds to the world ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")).

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 143:11

Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.

Psalms 146:7

Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:

Psalms 7:6

Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me [to] the judgment [that] thou hast commanded.

Psalms 7:7

So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.

Psalms 13:6

I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

Acts 2:24

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

James 5:11

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.