I had considered skipping Psalm 142 because the subject matter was the same as the two previous Psalms – David running or hiding from his enemies. However, each of these psalms approaches the subject from a different standpoint and seems to have a different theme. So, here is a look at the first part of Psalm 142.
In I Samuel 24, we read the exciting story of David’s bravery while he was in the cave. Saul had come into the cave, and the men that were with David encouraged him that God had given Saul, his enemy, into his hand. So, David sneaked up on Saul and cut off a piece of the skirt of Saul’s robe. Then David felt ashamed of his actions and courageously presented himself to Saul and confessed what he had done and apologized for his actions. However, Psalm 142 gives a picture of just how frightened David really was. He had men with him, but he also felt alone and helpless.
What did David do when he felt frightened and helpless? He poured out his heart to the only One he knew could help him, “I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.” (Psalm 142:1,2) David was saying, “LORD, help me! There is no physical defense that can save me. I am in trouble.” And David poured out to God his trouble.
Inside the cave, David felt like he was trapped. There was no place to go. He could not run and hide. Saul had three thousand men with him. But David knew that God had seen the path he would be walking. David knew that God had seen the traps that were laid to catch him. He said, “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.” (Psalm 142:3)
Though David looked all about him for help, there was no human who could get him out of trouble. “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me…” said David, “…no man cared for my soul.” (See Psalm 142:4) This same cry could be echoed by many of God’s children in the past and today as well. This is also the cry of the lost. Though we may not see it, many who do not know Christ are overwhelmed, feeling hopeless and alone.
Someone expressed the emptiness and hopelessness of lost mankind in a song. Part of the chorus of this song goes,
“No man careth for my soul,”
Thus cry the millions.
“No man careth for my soul,
O hear their plea!
Also, part of the first verse of this song describes the plea of the lost –
Their hearts are sad and weighted down with sin;
And their tear-stained faces plead
For relief from all their care
Persecution from without
And fear within.”
~Author of the hymn, Rachel Gulley Alfors
How empty a life without the Savior! How empty a life with no one to help! How empty a life with no one to care!
But there is a Savior. There is Someone to help. There is Someone to care. In the next study, we will take a look at the One who is the help and portion of the soul in need, the One who can bring the soul out of prison and deal bountifully with that one in need of refuge and relief. There is no help in man, but there is help in the LORD God and Savior Jesus Christ.