Psalm 142 (Listen)
142:1 With my voice I cry out to the LORD;
with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.
2 I pour out my complaint before him;
I tell my trouble before him.
3 When my spirit faints within me,
you know my way!
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see:
there is none who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
no one cares for my soul.
5 I cry to you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
6 Attend to my cry,
for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me!
7 Bring me out of prison,
that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me,
for you will deal bountifully with me.
Devotional:
I pour out my complaint before him; I reveal my trouble to him. (Psalm 142:2)
I praise and thank the Lord because He listens to my complaints and trials. Silent prayer is not the only way to call to God and tell Him our troubles. David was hiding in a cave. Maybe he went deep in the cave when he loudly pleaded to God for mercy. Take a minute to imagine the scene and the sound. Was it thunderous? Was there an echo? Here is a man facing imminent danger; do you think he was timid with God? He cries to God, “No one cares about me, except for you! You, Lord, are my refuge, not this cave. Rescue me!” Then he pledges to thank God in the midst of the people. Do you encourage people by sharing God’s victories in your life?
Pray It: Father, thank you for hearing my cries and complaints and being my shelter in those times of trouble. Help me to remember to turn to you and to praise you at all times, especially in the hard times. Amen.
Share It: Share a verse or thought from this passage with someone today.