Bible Strands
Psalms 142:2
I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David speaks to the LORD while hiding in a cave during a moment of acute distress (Psalms 142:1). The words — אֶשְׁפֹּ֣ךְ ('esh.Pokh) translates literally to I pour out, and צָ֝רָתִ֗/י (tza.ra.T/i) means my trouble or distress. The thread — The practice of vocalizing distress before God appears in Isaiah 26:16 and Philippians 4:6, while Romans 8:26 addresses divine assistance during such weakness. Why it lands — The text records the psalmist's personal action of vocalizing his distress to God rather than issuing a universal command. This establishes a pattern of direct, unfiltered communication with God during crisis.
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
I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
Cross-references
- Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.
- Isaiah 26:16 O LORD, they sought You in their distress; when You disciplined them, they poured out a quiet prayer.
- Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
- Psalms 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah
- Hebrews 5:7 During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.
- 1 Samuel 1:15 “No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not had any wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD.
- Psalms 18:4 The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me.
- Psalms 102:1 A prayer of one who is afflicted, when he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come before You.
- Psalms 42:4 These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the festive procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise.