Psalm 142 (KJV)

The text, King James Version

1. 1I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
2. 2I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
3. 3When 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. 4I 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. 5I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
6. 6Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
7. 7Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

Summary of the chapter

From Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary.

David's comfort in prayer. --There can be no situation so distressing or dangerous, in which faith will not get comfort from God by prayer. We are apt to show our troubles too much to ourselves, poring upon them, which does us no service; whereas, by showing them to God, we might cast the cares upon him who careth for us, and thereby ease ourselves. Nor should we allow any complaint to ourselves or others, which we cannot make to God. When our spirits are overwhelmed by distress, and filled…