Psalm 142 — From Unknown to Known

Maschil of David, when he was in the cave; a Prayer.

1 I cry with my voice unto the LORD;
With my voice unto the LORD do I make supplication.
2 I pour out my complaint before him;
I shew before him my trouble.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, thou knewest my path.
In the way wherein I walk have they hidden a snare for me.
4 Look on my right hand, and see; for there is no man that knoweth me:
Refuge hath failed me; no man careth for my soul.
5 I cried unto thee, O LORD;
I said, Thou art my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.
6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low:
Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks unto thy name:
The righteous shall compass me about;
for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

What is it that depresses David in this psalm? Why does he cry out to God? He is alone among enemies and troublesome people.

They do not seek to know or connect with him. They only try to trap and ensnare him. To be unknown is to be without refuge. Without connection with others, we're tossed about at sea. We need a place of refuge from the storm; we need people to care about our souls.

When David states that God is his refuge, he does more than speak the obvious. He tries to realign his thinking - our thinking - so that we remember what is real & true in this world. Being surrounded by so many troublesome people is not the enduring reality, but our refuge in God endures.

God is our refuge and his deliverance from loneliness is being surrounded by righteous people. Let us seek these people and praise God together.