Psalms 142:1-143:12

142:1-2 | David’s description of loneliness could be anyone’s: he is disoriented, deserted, depressed, and defeated. His first step toward healing was to cry out to the God in heaven, his Maker. Too many times, the devout come to God with their pious platitudes while, deep down, they are desperately hurting. Yet it is never too late to share the cries of the heart with the One who knows us best.

142:3 | My spirit was overwhelmed means that David’s spirit was “muffed” – his spirit so wrapped up in gloom that he had lost his way, his powers of judgment gone. While David felt overwhelmed, he took comfort that God understood. All believers can say the same to God: You knew.

142:4 | David’s lonely words express his feelings of total abandonment, rejection, and isolation. Hunted by Saul, abandoned by some of his friends, surrounded by the outlaws of the world, David felt alone.

142:5 | When God’s people set their problems aside so that He may move to the center, they discover Him as their portion and refuge. Problems begin to fade when He has prominence.

142:7 | Too often people want to go straight to this verse without going through the preceding six verses. David moved from crying to God in despair to confidence in God’s ability to make everything right: God would deal bountifully with him.

143:8-10 | Three times David prays for guidance. The way in which I should walk references his individual calling. Teach me to do Your will settles priorities, making the goal not self-fulfillment but pleasing God and finishing His work. Lead me are words of humility from one who knows his need of shepherding, not merely of having the right way pointed out to him.