David sheweth that, in his trouble, all his comfort was in prayer unto God.
Maschil of David; A prayer when he was in the cave.
Title. לדוד משׂכיל maskiil ledavid.— This psalm was composed by David when he was in that miserable situation in the cave of Adullam, 1 Samuel 22 or that of Engedi, 1 Samuel 24. He teaches us, by his own example, to repose ourselves wholly upon God, amid the greatest difficulties. The psalm consists of three parts; the first describes to us the religious turn of his mind, in all the various distresses to which he was subject, and the most threatening evils which encompassed him. He would pour forth his supplications before God, Psalms 142:1-2. The second part shews the greatness of his danger, and the secret hope he had in that God, who saw his situation, and whom he had chosen for his portion; Psalms 142:3-5. The last part contains his earnest supplications to God to extricate him out of the cave, and give him and his friends fresh occasion for gratitude and praise.