Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Psalms 142

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 (Psalms 142:1, 142:2) of the subtlety, strength, and malice, of his enemies (Psalms 142:3, 142:6), and the coldness and indifference of his friends, Psalms 142:4. II. The comfort he takes in God that he knew his case (Psalms 142:3) and was his refuge, Psalms 142:5. III. His expectation from God that he would hear and deliver him, Psalms 142:6, 142:7. IV His expectation from the righteous that they would join with him in praises, Psalms 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. MHBCC 621.1