Psalms 142:5
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I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This psalm is a prayer, the substance of which David offered up to God when he was forced by Saul to take shelter in a cave, and which he afterwards penned in this form. Here is, I. The complaint he makes to God (Psa 142:1, Psa 142:2) of the subtlety, strength, and malice, of his enemies (Psa 142:3, Psa 142:6), and the coldness and indifference of his friends (Psa 142:4). II. The comfort he takes in God that he knew his case (Psa 142:3) and was his refuge (Psa 142:5). III. His expectation from God that he would hear and deliver him (Psa 142:6, Psa 142:7). IV His expectation from the righteous that they would join with him in praises (Psa 142:7). Those that are troubled in mind, body, or estate, may, in singing this psalm (if they sing it in some measure with David's spirit), both warrant his complaints and fetch in his comforts. Maschil of David. A prayer when he was in the cave.
Open source ↗142:5 Though he is alone, the psalmist’s trust remains in the Lord, who is his life (see 9:9; 16:5; 27:13).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.
Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.
“Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.
For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.