Psalm CXLII

Maschil of David. A Prayer when he was in the cave.

1 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. 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.

Maschil — “A prayer of David, %vhen he was the cave;”’ or, more closely adhering to the order of the original, “Maschil, (i. e., as in Psa, xxxii., which see) of David, when he was in the cave; a prayer.” The cave of AduUam echoed these holy strains; and David’s men, “the distressed, the debtors, the bitter of soul,” (1 Sam. xxii. 2,) heard, as did the prisoners in Philippi when Paul and Silas sung, and were not only soothed but sanctified, when the Holy Ghost used the same harp that had calmed Saul’s spirit, to cast out the evil that wrought in that strange band. But is it not written for all ages? David’s Son, and all that follow him, use it when “bitter in soul,” or in “distress.”

Let us see how beautifully it utters our Master’s heart as “A prayer.”

Verse 1. The cry of the Son of David — “I cry unto Jehovah, who has so often heard my voice; I supplicate Jehovah with my voice.” Is not this suitable in the lips of him who was ever calling on his Father, and whose agony drew forth all the more that filial cry, ‘’ O my Father! “Verse 2. “/ pour forth my complaint before him.” Compare the title of Psa. cii., and remember the Lord’s words in the garden, “Let this cup pass!” when reading “/ shewed before him my distress.”

Verse 3. “When my spirit is overwhelmed within me” (compare again the title of Psa. cii.), and thou knewest {iirlijl emphatic, as if to say, I did not know, but thou didst) my path, or the way where I was going where they hid a trap for me” How suitable in the mouth of him who was “sore amazed’”’ as he entered the garden!

Verse 4. “Look on thy right hand, and behold” — an abrupt, or broken cry; look, and behold, and you will see only this — “710 one knoweth me! refuge fails me! no one concerns himself for my soul.” Such language might actually be used by our Lord Jesus to the Father, when he saw even his disciples fleeing from him, as the band drew near to take him in their snare; or when he saw them all asleep in that terrible hour.

Verse 5, “/ have cried (and do still cry) to thee, 0 Jehovah; Thou art my portion (both now and hereafter) in the land of the living.” The Master returned to the Father for sympathy, finding it only there.

Verse 6. Another cry pointed with the appeal, “For I am brought very low.” He needed an angel to strengthen him, so low did he become — lower in every sense than angels. His flesh was weak.

Verse 7. But here, as in Psa. xxii., the scene begins to brighten. His disciples may sleep on and take their rest, for he has accomplished his sufferings. He sees in prospect the results, and prays,

“Bring my soul from being shut up;” (as Joseph was, Gen. xxxix. 20, as Isa. xxiv. 22.) ihat men may praise thy name. (Hengstenberg.)

And then in confidence of hope, seeing down the vista of ages, his eye resting on the millions of his saved ones, “The righteous shall form a citde dose round me; (^nPiylL press closely in upon me; Hengst.) For thou shalt deal bountiftdly %oitJi me.”

Is not this His anticipation of the great multitude, whom no prophetic man can number, in his kingdom, round his throne, as in Rev. vii. 9, where the redeemed stand nearer than angels, as

reference.

if pressing in? And, being one with our Head, each of us the members may take up this song in our Adullam sojourn — for the disciple is as the Master, in his degree. Arrived at last at the Throne, disciples shall feel solitude no more, nor complain of sympathy withheld, amid the great congregation.

Horsley entitles this Psahn, “A prayer of Messiah, when he was taken and deserted.” Let us call it, The cave-thoughts of David, and of David’s Son, for all in extremity.