| Home | Old Testament Studies | Psalms Table of Contents | Previous Section | Next Section |
PSALM 142
STROPHE DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS
| NASB | NKJV | NRSV | TEV | NJB |
| Prayer for Help in Trouble MT Intro Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. |
A Plea for Relief from Persecutors | Prayer for Deliverance from Personal Enemies (A Lament) |
A Prayer for Help | Prayer in Persecution |
| 142:1-4 | 142:1-2 | 142:1-3b | 142:1-4 | 142:1-3b |
| 142:3-4 | ||||
| 142:3c-4 | 142:3c-4 | |||
| 142:5-7 | 142:5-7 | 142:5-6b | 142:5-7 | 142:5-6b |
| 142:6c-7 | 142:6c-7 |
READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS ‒ I do not believe the superscriptions in the MT are original or inspired. See Introduction to the Psalsm, IV.
WORD AND PHRASE STUDY
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 142:1-4
1I cry aloud with my
voice to the Lord;
I make supplication with my
voice to the Lord.
2I pour out my
complaint before Him;
I declare my trouble before
Him.
3When my spirit was
overwhelmed within me,
You knew my path.
In the way where I walk
They have hidden a trap for
me.
4Look to the right
and see;
For there is no one who
regards me;
There is no escape for me;
No one cares for my soul.
142:1-2 This Psalm starts out with four IMPERFECTS which denote ongoing prayer.
142:3 "my spirit" This is the Hebrew term ruah (BDB 924), which denotes "wind," "breath," or "spirit." It is used of the God-given life force in humanity.
The psalmist is confused by the attacks of his accusers (i.e., those who hid a trap for him, Ps. 142:3d, cf. Ps. 140:4-5; 141:9-10; they are also called "persecutors" in Ps. 142:6c).
The psalmist asserts that YHWH knows him (i.e., his path, where he walks, Ps. 142:3b,c and Psalm 139) but it does not feel that way (i.e., Ps. 142:4).
SPECIAL TOPIC: BREATH, WIND, SPIRIT
SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE
| ▣ | |
| NASB, NKJV, NRSV, NJB, Peshitta | "overwhelmed" |
| REB | "faint" |
| LXX | "failing me" |
| JPSOA | "fails within me" |
This Hithpael INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT (BDB 742 III) basically means "to be feeble" or "to faint."
It is an idiom of discouragement and hopelessness.
▣ Lines b and c express the truth that God is well acquainted with the lives of His faithful followers. Why problems, sickness, rejection, and attacks come is a mystery (i.e., Job; Psalm 73), but the Bible teaches YHWH is for us, with us, and will never leave us. We can face circumstances with faith in Him!
142:4 The psalmist is surprised that no one comes to his aid (cf. Psalm 142:4), not even YHWH. Note the IMPERATIVES.
Line d is so sad! He felt all alone, all alone! He felt his situation was hopeless (i.e., Job; Psalm 73)!
The LXX, apparently following the DSS understanding, made the IMPERATIVE into simple statements, "I look. . .I see," referring not to YHWH, but to the psalmist. This is followed by the Aramaic Targums and the Vulgate. I think the IMPERATIVES fit the context best (i.e., the psalmist is addressing God, Ps. 142:1-3).
▣ "No one cares for my soul" The PARTICIPLE (BDB 205, KB 233, Qal PARTICIPLE) is literally "seek" and the phrase may be translated "no one seeks my life," but this is easily misunderstood in English. So the NASB caught the meaning well.
▣ "soul" This is the Hebrew term nephesh; see note at Gen. 35:18.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 142:5-7
5I cried out to You,
O Lord;
I said, "You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the
living.
6Give heed to my
cry,
For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my
persecutors,
For they are too strong for
me.
7Bring my soul out
of prison,
So that I may give thanks to
Your name;
The righteous will surround
me,
For You will deal bountifully
with me."
142:5 This is the psalmist's affirmation of faith.
▣ "refuge" See SPECIAL TOPIC: REFUGE (OT).
▣ "my portion" See note at Ps. 16:5 online.
142:6-7 There is a series of prayer requests (Hiphil IMPERATIVES).
142:7 "out of prison" This must be
The term "prison" (BDB 689) can mean
▣ "So that I may give thanks to Your name" This would be a request to visit the temple in Jerusalem. This is reinforced by the next line, "the righteous will surround me" (i.e., in corporate worship).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk n the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
| Home | Old Testament Studies | Psalms Table of Contents | Previous Section | Next Section |
Copyright © 2014 Bible Lessons International