I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.
When Saul cornered David in that cave, the man might have panicked or done something rash, as desperate people do. Instead this Psalm shows David kept his composure, held fast to God in assured confidence, and gave himself to prayer rather than taking any step God had not warranted. That is the mark of true faith.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 142:1-7
I poured out my complaint before him. His inward meditation filled his soul: the bitter water rose up to the brim; what was to be done? He must pour out the wormwood and the gall, he could not keep it in; he lets it run away as best it can, that so his heart may be emptied of the fermenting mixture.
No cave is so deep or dark that prayer cannot rise out of it to God. David was in terror, hunted at every moment, yet kept his religion about him and poured out his complaint freely before the Lord; let no man of rank think it shame to cry like a child to his Father when affliction comes.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 142:1-3