Psalm 142:1-7 AMPC - Psalm 142
A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem, of David; when he was in the cave. A Prayer.
¹ I cry to the Lord with my voice; with my voice to the Lord do I make supplication.
² I pour out my complaint before Him; I tell before Him my trouble.
³ When my spirit was overwhelmed and fainted [throwing all its weight] upon me, then You knew my path. In the way where I walk they have hidden a snare for me.
⁴ Look on the right hand [the point of attack] and see; for there is no man who knows me [to appear for me]. Refuge has failed me and I have no way to flee; no man cares for my life or my welfare.
⁵ I cried to You, O Lord; I said, You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.
⁶ Attend to my loud cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.
⁷ Bring my life out of prison, that I may confess, praise, and give thanks to Your name; the righteous will surround me and crown themselves because of me, for You will deal bountifully with me.
Much publicity has been made of Prince Harry pouring out his complaints to the world about the traumas in his early life. He has done multiple interviews, podcasts and a book cataloguing his miseries and attempts at escapism via drugs and drink.
Yesterday, he even did a live stream of his counselling session with a dubious psychiatrist saying how "freeing" it was to tell his traumatic experience publicly.
How free is he really? He seems dominated by the past, haunted by his mother - reaching out to mediums, gurus, shrinks and smoking weed.
Tormented by sibling jealousy, he looks far from free.
He talks of the importance of self-compassion - more like self absorbtion, not realising how self pity has gripped him.
There is, however, a place to pour out our complaints - here in this precious Psalm, David pours out his heart to the Living God - the only One who can truly turn things around:
Psalm 142:2 AMPC
I pour out my complaint before Him; I tell before Him my trouble.
He is being hunted down by King Saul, hiding in a cave, fearing for his life. This after being anointed by Samuel to be king.
He didn't feel very anointed. He felt weak and vulnerable, who wouldn't?
But he still believes, he still puts his hope in God, even though he feels like no one cares for him.
He is certain that the Lord is watching over him: "When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way."
All of us grow weary in our hearts at times, we need outside help!
It isn't to be found in frail humanity.
Listen to Jesus's invitation:
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28
Like someone said, when you're in trouble, lonely or burdened, don't go to the phone, go to "the Throne"!
Jesus is listening and waiting to hear your complaint and to show you the way to go.
Go to Him FIRST before seeking human intervention. He will direct your path!
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