I Cry Out To The Lord Psalm 142

A contemplation of David (Maskil – a musical term) Background A contemplation of David (Maskil – a musical term) A prayer when he was in the cave – 1 Samuel 22 – the cave of Adullam, fleeing the king of Gath (Philistines). 1 Samuel 24 – the cave of En Gedi – pursued by Saul Some other occasion A psalm of discouragement and loneliness

David’s Cry to the Lord – Vs. 1-2 I cry to the LORD with my voice. I make supplication (pleading for compassion) An outward crying – as of one in real distress

David’s Cry to the Lord – Vs. 1-2 I pour out my complaint IS it acceptable to complain to God? What is meant? If bitterness toward Him, or ingratitude, we need to repent. IF we speak of acknowledging troubles, we should turn to Him – 1 Peter 5:7 This reminds us of our struggles and how we need Him Every psalm of complaint ends with trust in Him

When my spirit was overwhelmed… Overwhelmed – Vs. 3-4 When my spirit was overwhelmed… Overwhelmed – a feeling of helplessness, perhaps loneliness. (David is in a cave) Do you ever feel alone? You are NOT alone! Jesus – Mark 14:33-35

Overwhelmed – Vs. 3-4 You knew my path In retrospect, David knows that God is in control. He knows everything. Psalm 139:1-4, Hebrews 4:13 They have set a snare for me – Enemies, often seek to entrap to destroy. Be aware! 2 Corinthians 2:11, 1 Peter 5:8

Overwhelmed – Vs. 3-4 None acknowledges me Here we see his discouragement and loneliness. He sees no escape or relief. No one cares for my soul – even though David was surrounded by allies, he still felt alone. Why? It was “friends” who betrayed him. “Loneliness is not necessarily being alone, but feeling alone”

No one cares for my soul – David is not the only one to feel this way, Overwhelmed – Vs. 3-4 No one cares for my soul – David is not the only one to feel this way, Elijah – 1 Kings 19:9-10 (BTW, he was wrong!) Jesus, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46, cf. Psalm 22:1) Psalm 69:8-9, 19-21 – another psalm of David (but Messianic)

No one cares for my soul – WHO cares? Overwhelmed – Vs. 3-4 No one cares for my soul – WHO cares? God cares – 1 Peter 5:6-7, Isaiah 41:10 Jesus cares - Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:15 Brethren care – 1 Corinthians 12:25-26, Romans 12:15, cf. 2 Corinthians 8:16

No one cares for my soul – WHO cares? Elders care – Hebrews 13:17 Overwhelmed – Vs. 3-4 No one cares for my soul – WHO cares? Elders care – Hebrews 13:17 Your family cares I care! Can you go to those who care? Will you?

The LORD, his refuge – Vs. 5-7 You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living – total trust in Him. God will NOT abandon us! But how often do we blame Him? Attend to my cry, for I am very low – a prayer for strength and calm when troubled – James 5:13, Psalm 50:14-15, cf. Matthew 26:38-39, Hebrews 5:7

The LORD, his refuge – Vs. 5-7 Deliver me from my persecutors, because they are stronger than I – Often times the ungodly set out to destroy the godly. They can be very effective. But they will NEVER defeat God – Romans 8:37, John 16:33, 1 Corinthians 15:57

The LORD, his refuge – Vs. 5-7 Bring my soul out of prison that I may praise Your name – again, the ungodly seek to restrict us and stop our efforts (imprisonment, outlawing assembling or the Bible, etc.) David desires to be free from that cave. The righteous shall surround me – a continuation of his request to be freed from prison. IF freed, he intends to surround himself with the godly. THIS is one of the solution to loneliness. 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Hebrews 12:12, Romans 12:10

The LORD, his refuge – Vs. 5-7 For you will deal bountifully with me – we cannot out give God! His abundance – 2 Peter 1:11, 1 Peter 1:3, Riches - Romans 2:4, 9:23, 11:33

Can you relate to this psalm? If so, learn from David to trust God