Psalms 142:1

PSALM CXLII

The psalmist, in great distress and difficulty, calls upon

God, 1-7.

NOTES ON PSALM CXLII

The title says, "An Instruction of David," or a Psalm of David giving instruction; "A Prayer when he was in the cave."

David was twice in great peril in caves.

1. At the cave of Adullam, when he fled from Achish, king of Gath, 1 Samuel 22:1.

2. When he was in the cave of En-gedi, where he had taken refuge from the pursuit of Saul; and the latter, without knowing that David was in it, had gone into it on some necessary occasion, 1 Samuel 24:1.

If the inscription can be depended on, the cave of En-gedi is the most likely of the two, for the scene laid here. But were there doubts concerning the legitimacy of the title, I should refer the Psalm to the state of the captives in Babylon, to which a great part of the Psalms refer. Bishop Horsley calls it "A Prayer of the Messiah taken and deserted." It may be so: but where is the evidence, except in the conjectural system of Origen.

Verse Psalms 142:1. I cried unto the Lord] See on the first verse of the preceding Psalm.