Psalm 142:1-7 Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. "I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. (2) I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. (3) When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. (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. (5) I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and 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 praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me."
I felt the need to include all of this Psalm today. I admit that I do not
always pay attention to the explanation of the Psalm as it is set in the
beginning, but today the word, Maschil, caught my attention. According to
Strong's Concordance, it means this Psalm is a "teaching Psalm." There
is something that David experienced that the Holy Spirit impressed him to use
as a teaching experience for others. David was in the cave on a couple of
occasions while he was escaping the wrath of King Saul. This particular time
may have been when his men were urging him to just kill Saul, but David's
integrity would not allow him to do it. He would not lift his hand against the
Lord's anointed king.
David had nowhere to turn, but he knew the Lord would always hear his prayers.
It seemed to David that no one cared what happened to him. Have you ever been
in that situation? Have you ever felt that no one cared what was happening in
your life? If so, you know what true loneliness is all about. But David's
message to us today is that we can always turn to the Lord. He cares for us and
will uphold us in our lowest moments. We cannot bring ourselves out, but the
Lord's hand is not shortened. He will reach down in merciful love and set us
upon the solid rock of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth and song?
When the burdens press and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain:
Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares
His heart is touched with my grief
When the days are weary, the long night dreary
I know my Savior cares
Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong?
When, for my deep grief, I find no relief
Though the tears flow all the night long? (Refrain)