MAKING GOD OUR REFUGE

Passage: Psalms 142:1-7

Key verse: 5

NIV

Psalm 142[a]
A maskil[b] of David. When he was in the cave.(A) A prayer.

1 I cry aloud(B) to the Lord;
    I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.(C)
2 I pour out before him my complaint;(D)
    before him I tell my trouble.(E)

3 When my spirit grows faint(F) within me,
    it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
    people have hidden a snare for me.
4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
    no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;(G)
    no one cares(H) for my life.

5 I cry to you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,(I)
    my portion(J) in the land of the living.”(K)

6 Listen to my cry,(L)
    for I am in desperate need;(M)
rescue me(N) from those who pursue me,
    for they are too strong(O) for me.
7 Set me free from my prison,(P)
    that I may praise your name.(Q)
Then the righteous will gather about me
    because of your goodness to me.(R)

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 142:1 In Hebrew texts 142:1-7 is numbered 142:2-8.
  2. Psalm 142:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

You Are My Refuge

A Maskil[a] of David, when he was in (A)the cave. A Prayer.

142 With my voice I (B)cry out to the Lord;
    with my voice I (C)plead for mercy to the Lord.
2 I (D)pour out my complaint before him;
    I tell my trouble before him.

3 When my spirit (E)faints within me,
    you know my way!
In the path where I walk
    they have (F)hidden a trap for me.
4 (G)Look to the (H)right and see:
    (I)there is none who takes notice of me;
(J)no refuge remains to me;
    no one cares for my soul.

5 I cry to you, O Lord;
    I say, “You are my (K)refuge,
    my (L)portion in (M)the land of the living.”
6 (N)Attend to my cry,
    for (O)I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
    (P)for they are too strong for me!
7 (Q)Bring me out of prison,
    that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me,
    for you will (R)deal bountifully with me.

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 142:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

This is a prayer of David from one of the darkest times in his life, when he was in a cave hiding from Saul (1Sa 22:1). Sometimes our very spirit can grow faint, when we feel too weak and discouraged to maintain our own faith. Even then, God is watching over us and leading us effectively (3). Even if it seems that no human being cares for us anymore, God can be our refuge (4-5).

What does it mean to make God himself our refuge? By relying on his sovereign protection, we experience peace and tranquility, like being in a quiet cave, even when the world around us is chaotic. David also calls the Lord his “portion” (5). This means that in Jesus, God can provide our next step of life even when we have nothing left. David admitted that his enemies were too strong for him and that his situation felt like a prison (6-7). But God answered David’s prayer, using his hardships to mold him as a shepherd for many people (7; 1Sa 22:2). He will do the same through our life problems.

Prayer: Lord, in times of deep distress, help me see you clearly as my refuge and my portion. Use my sufferings to mold me as a shepherd for others.

One Word: You are my refuge