Text -- Psalms 142:2-7 (NET)

142:2 I pour out my lament before him; I tell him about my troubles. 142:3 Even when my strength leaves me, you watch my footsteps. In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. 142:4 Look to the right and see! No one cares about me. I have nowhere to run; no one is concerned about my life. 142:5 I cry out to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my shelter, my security in the land of the living.” 142:6 Listen to my cry for help, for I am in serious trouble! Rescue me from those who chase me, for they are stronger than I am. 142:7 Free me from prison, that I may give thanks to your name. Because of me the godly will assemble, for you will vindicate me.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Psa 142:2

¹ tn Heb “my trouble before him I declare.”

NET Notes: Psa 142:3

¹ tn Heb “my spirit grows faint.”

² tn Heb “you know my path.”

NET Notes: Psa 142:4

¹ tn Heb “there is no one who recognizes me.”

² tn Heb “ a place of refuge perishes from me.”

³ tn Heb “there is no one who seeks for the sake of my life.”

NET Notes: Psa 142:5

¹ tn Heb “my portion.” The psalmist compares the Lord to landed property, which was foundational to economic stability in ancient Israel.

NET Notes: Psa 142:6

¹ tn Heb “for I am very low.”

NET Notes: Psa 142:7

¹ tn Heb “bring out my life.”

² tn Or “gather around.”

³ tn The Hebrew idiom גָּמַל עַל (gamal ’al) means “to repay,” here in a positive sense.