Psalms 142:4 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

I looked on my right hand, &c. The place where the patron, or assistant used to stand; but there was no man Namely, in Saul's court or camp: none of my former relations, friends or acquaintance; that would know me Own me, or show any respect or kindness to me. The verb, in the first clause of the verse, being in the imperative; look on my right hand, &c. Dr. Horne considers the words as a request to God to look on his destitute condition, and to pity and relieve him; but Bishop Patrick views them as a kind of soliloquy, and explains them thus, “Look about thee, O my soul, and see if thou canst spy any hope of relief from thy best and most powerful friends: there are none of them that dare own thee; nor do I know whither to flee for safety.” Refuge failed, or rather, faileth me There is no patron on earth to whom I can commit my cause, nor any help in man for me. No man cared, rather careth, for my soul Or, for my life, namely, to preserve it: but they all conspire to take it away.