The Book of Psalms Paraphrased, Book 5 · Psalm 142
PSALM CXLII.
Maſchil of David. A Prayer when he was in the Cave.
ARGUMENT.
When David hid himſelf for fear of Saul, in the Cave of Adullam, (1 Sam. XXII. 1.) or as others think, more probably, in the Cave of Engaddi, (1 Sam. XXIV. 1, 2, 3.) this was the meditation he had in that diſconſolate place; before Saul came thither to uncover his feet, in it. Which was ſet afterward to the tune of Maſchil, (See Pſal. XXXII.) or called by that name, becauſe it admirably inſtructs Poſterity, in the moſt forlorn, nay deſperate condition, to recommend themſelves to God, and to depend on Him with a reſolved Faith. Who, by an unexpected means granted the deſire of David, which he makes in the concluſion of this Pſalm (verſ. 7.) and brought him out of thoſe ſtraits wherein he was impriſoned. I ſay, reſolved Faith; becauſe in the Hebrew, the words of the firſt and ſecond verſes run thus; I will cry unto the Lord; I will make my ſupplication; I will pour out my complaint before Him, &c.
1. I Cried unto the LORD with my voice: with my voice unto the LORD did I make my ſupplication.
1. THough I am deſtitute of humane help, I will not deſpair of ſafety: but with the more fervent cryes, implore the divine Succour; and with vehement ſighs and groans, deprecate the Lords diſpleaſure.
2. I poured out my complaint before him: I ſhewed before him my trouble.
2. I will lay before Him at large, all the ſad thoughts which perplex my heart: and repreſenting the inextricable ſtraits and difficulties wherein I am, expoſe my ſelf unto Him; as an object of his pity.
3. When my ſpirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou kneweſt my path: in the may wherein I walked, have they privily laid a ſnare for me.
3. Now that I am utterly at a loſs, and ready to faint away in a confuſion of thoughts, Thou knoweſt very well a way for my eſcape: though by the intelligence they hold with my Enemies, (1 Sam. XXIV. 1.) they have blockt up all the Paſſages, which I am acquainted withall; and laid Ambuſhes for me in every Rode.
4. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me, refuge failed me: no man cared for my ſoul.
4. Look about thee, O my Soul, and ſee if thou canſt ſpy any hope of relief from thy beſt and moſt powerfull Friends: there are none of them that dare own thee; nor do I know whither to fly for ſafety, if any of them would be ſo kind as to invent a means, and open a way, for my deliverance from the preſent danger.
5. I cried unto thee, O LORD, I ſaid, Thou art my refuge, and my portion in the land of the living.
5. All that I can doe, is to recommend my ſelf to Thee, O Lord, by fervent Prayers, ſaying; I truſt my ſelf with thy Almighty Goodneſs, as in a ſure Sanctuary: I have nothing elſe in the world to depend upon, but Thee alone; by whom I will hope to be protected and provided for, as long as I live.
6. Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low, deliver me from my perſecutors: for they are ſtronger then I.
6. O let my importunate cry prevail for ſome relief; which will come moſt ſeaſonably, in this exceeding great neceſſity: reſcue me now, that I may not fall into the hands of my Perſecutours; who are every way (except in theſe cries unto, and confidence in Thee) much too ſtrong for me.
7. Bring my ſoul out of priſon, that I may praiſe thy Name: the righteous ſhall compaſs me about; for thou ſhalt deal bountifully with me.
7. Bring me, with life and liberty, out of this diſmal cave, wherein I am pent up; that I may make my thankfull acknowledgments to thy Almighty Goodneſs: which ſhall attract the admiration of all good men, and provoke them unanimouſly to joyn together with me, in praiſing Thee; when they ſee that Thou art the moſt righteous Judge, and bountifull Benefactour of thoſe, that commit themſelves unto Thee.