Psalms 142 - Introduction

In profound despondency the Psalmist lays his trouble before Jehovah (Psalms 142:1-2), though Jehovah well knows all the circumstances of his life, and the dangers which beset him in his isolation and defencelessness (Psalms 142:3-4). Jehovah has been and is his only hope, and to Him he looks for deliverance which will enable him to give thanks publicly in the midst of rejoicing sympathisers (Psalms 142:5-7).

The situation of the Psalmist is desperate. If Psalms 142:7 and Psalms 143:3 are to be understood literally, he was an actual prisoner in a gloomy dungeon; but -prison" may be only a figure for distress.

Some commentators suppose that the speaker is Israel, languishing in the prison of exile and despairing of return, but apart from the strongly personal tone of the Psalm, in Psalms 142:7 the Psalmist is distinguished from -the righteous," who must be (cp. Psalms 141:5) faithful Israelites. It is impossible to suppose that future converts to the worship of Jehovah are meant.

For Maschîl, which is only found here in Books iv and v, see Introd. p. xix. With when he was in the cavecp. the title of Psalms 57. The cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22) or that of Engedi (1 Samuel 24) may be meant. For a prayercp. the titles of Psalms 17, 86, 90, 102, the subscription to Psalms 72, and Habakkuk 3:1.