God is always near to those who sincerely call upon Him for rescue.
"I cry aloud with my voice to the LORD; I make supplication with my voice to the LORD." (Psalm 142:1)
The heading of Psalm 142 states that it is a Maskil of David, composed when he was hiding in a cave. David (circa 1010 - 970 BC) was fleeing from King Saul’s pursuit and found himself forced to take refuge in a cave near the town of Adullam, a Canaanite site southwest of Jerusalem. In this place of darkness and isolation, David directs his desperation and hope toward God, raising his voice as a plea for deliverance. His personal lament demonstrates that he knows there is only one eternal and sovereign refuge—namely, the LORD.
In Psalm 142:1, David uses strong, urgent wording: cry aloud and make supplication. These phrases reveal both the intensity and the sincerity of his position. He is not halfheartedly seeking help; rather, his entire being is engaged in calling upon the LORD’s mercy. This fervent prayer captures a universal human response to trial: we cry out, acknowledging our absolute dependence on God when all other forms of security fail us (Matthew 6:9-13). By doing so, David chooses faith rather than despair, entrusting himself to the covenant-keeping nature of the LORD.
Christians can connect with this posture of total dependence in the New Testament (Hebrews 5:7), where Jesus Himself offers prayers coupled with loud crying and tears, showing the deep intimacy and trust He has with the Father. In the same way, David’s act of voicing his distress demonstrates a pattern for believers: in moments of dire need, they can boldly call upon the One who hears and responds with compassion (1 Peter 5:7). Through this simple yet profound appeal, David models what it means to rely on God for protection, guidance, and ultimate salvation.
Set to dark mode
Psalms 142:1 meaning
"I cry aloud with my voice to the LORD; I make supplication with my voice to the LORD." (Psalm 142:1)
The heading of Psalm 142 states that it is a Maskil of David, composed when he was hiding in a cave. David (circa 1010 - 970 BC) was fleeing from King Saul’s pursuit and found himself forced to take refuge in a cave near the town of Adullam, a Canaanite site southwest of Jerusalem. In this place of darkness and isolation, David directs his desperation and hope toward God, raising his voice as a plea for deliverance. His personal lament demonstrates that he knows there is only one eternal and sovereign refuge—namely, the LORD.
In Psalm 142:1, David uses strong, urgent wording: cry aloud and make supplication. These phrases reveal both the intensity and the sincerity of his position. He is not halfheartedly seeking help; rather, his entire being is engaged in calling upon the LORD’s mercy. This fervent prayer captures a universal human response to trial: we cry out, acknowledging our absolute dependence on God when all other forms of security fail us (Matthew 6:9-13). By doing so, David chooses faith rather than despair, entrusting himself to the covenant-keeping nature of the LORD.
Christians can connect with this posture of total dependence in the New Testament (Hebrews 5:7), where Jesus Himself offers prayers coupled with loud crying and tears, showing the deep intimacy and trust He has with the Father. In the same way, David’s act of voicing his distress demonstrates a pattern for believers: in moments of dire need, they can boldly call upon the One who hears and responds with compassion (1 Peter 5:7). Through this simple yet profound appeal, David models what it means to rely on God for protection, guidance, and ultimate salvation.