Psalms 142:4 - Meaning and Application

The psalmist here tells us, for our instruction, how he was disowned and deserted by his friends, in Psalm 142:4. When he was favored at court, he seemed to have many friends. But when he was treated as an outlaw, and it was dangerous for anyone to shelter him, as Ahimelech’s fate showed, then no one would admit that they knew him. People kept their distance from him.

He looked to his right hand for an advocate, someone to speak well for him, as in (Psalm 109:31). But Jonathan’s earlier support for him had nearly cost Jonathan his life, so no one else was willing to defend his innocence. They were ready to say they knew nothing about it. He looked around for someone who would open their door to him, but no refuge could be found. None of his old friends would give him a place to stay for even one night, or point him to a safe hiding place.

Many good people have been fooled by fair-weather friends like that, who disappear when hard times come. David’s life was very precious, yet when he was unfairly hunted down, no one cared enough to protect him. In this, he was a picture of Christ, who suffered for us and was left by everyone, even by his own disciples. He had to tread the winepress alone, for there was none to help or uphold him (Isaiah 63:5).

David also shows us how he found comfort in God, in Psalm 142:5. Friends and loved ones kept their distance, and it was no use calling on them. But he cried to the Lord, who knows him and cares for him when no one else will. God does not fail or abandon his people, even when human friends do, because his love is steady.

David says what he told God in the cave: “You are my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.” He depended on God to be both things. A refuge is a place of safety from harm. A portion is what gives a person their share and happiness. The cave he was hiding in was only a poor shelter, but God was his strong tower. The crown he hoped for was only a weak kind of wealth, but he could never feel truly provided for until he knew the Lord was his inheritance and his cup.

All who sincerely take the Lord as their God will find him enough, both as a refuge and as a portion. Then no evil can finally harm them, and no good thing they truly need will be missing. They may humbly claim this promise: “Lord, you are my refuge and my portion. Everything else is a false refuge and a worthless portion. You are this for me in the land of the living, while I live in this world and in the world to come.” There is enough in God to meet every need of this present life.

We live in a world full of danger and lack, but what danger need we fear if God is our refuge, or what need if he is our portion? Heaven, which alone truly deserves the name “the land of the living,” will be for all believers both a refuge and a portion.

David then shows how, in this confidence, he spoke to God in Psalm 142:5-6: “Lord, hear my cry kindly. It is the cry of my trouble and the cry of my request, for I have been brought very low. If you do not help me, I will sink completely. Deliver me from my persecutors. Either restrain them or change their hearts, break their power or ruin their plans, hold them back or rescue me, for they are stronger than I am. It will honor you to help the weaker side. If you do not deliver me, they will ruin me, for I am not yet a match for them. Bring my soul out of prison, not only bring me safely out of this cave, but bring me out of all my trouble.”

We can apply this spiritually. Good people are often cramped by doubts and fears, and held back by weak faith and strong sin. At such times, it is their duty and their good to turn to God and ask him to set them free and enlarge their hearts, so they can run in the way of his commandments.

David also shows how much he expected his rescue to bring glory to God. First, it would do so through his own thanksgiving, since his present complaints would turn into praise. “Bring my soul out of prison,” he says, not so that I may simply enjoy comfort, friends, or ease, and not even just to secure my country, but so that I may praise your name. We should keep this in mind in every prayer for deliverance, that we may have reason to praise God and live for his praise. The greatest comfort of earthly blessings is that they give us matter and opportunity for the good work of praise.

Second, it would bring glory to God through the thanksgivings of many on his behalf, as in (2 Corinthians 1:11). “When I am set free, the righteous will gather around me.” They would come to congratulate him on his rescue, hear what God had done for him, and receive instruction from him. They would gather around him to join in his thanksgiving, because God had dealt generously with him. The mercies shown to others should move us to praise God, and we should both desire and welcome the praises others offer for our sake.