Bible Strands
Psalms 142:1
A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David addresses the LORD from within a cave, explicitly labeling his utterance a prayer and a Maskil composition.
The words — The Hebrew verb אֶזְעָק ('ez.'Ak, "I cry out") and the phrase אֶתְחַנַּן ('et.cha.nan, "I seek favor") structure the verse's progression from vocal distress to a specific petition.
The thread — The verse aligns structurally with Psalms 30:8, Psalms 57:1, and Psalms 141:1, where the psalmist directs vocal appeals to the LORD and requests divine attention.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to treat prayer as an immediate, vocal transfer of trouble to God rather than an internal reflection.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
Cross-references
- Psalms 30:8 To You, O LORD, I called, and I begged my Lord for mercy:
- Psalms 57:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.
- Psalms 141:1 A Psalm of David. I call upon You, O LORD; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to You.
- 1 Samuel 24:3 Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.
- 1 Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called out to the God of Israel, “If only You would bless me and enlarge my territory! May Your hand be with me and keep me from harm, so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted the request of Jabez.
- Psalms 77:1 For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cried out to God; I cried aloud to God to hear me.
- Psalms 28:2 Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
- Psalms 32:1 Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
- Psalms 54:1 For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. When the Ziphites went to Saul and said, “Is David not hiding among us?” Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might!
- 1 Samuel 22:1 So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.