Salmos 142
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 142
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS ‒ I do not believe the superscriptions in the MT are original or inspired. See Introduction to the Psalsm, IV.
Salmos 142:1-4
142:1-2 This Psalm starts out with four IMPERFECTS which denote ongoing prayer. I cry aloud ‒ BDB 277, KB 277, Qal IMPERFECT I make supplication ‒ BDB 335, KB 334, Hithpael IMPERFECT I pour out my complaint ‒ BDB 1049, KB 1629, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. 1 Sam. 1:15; Ps. 62:8; Lam. 2:19 I declare my trouble ‒ BDB 616, KB 665, Hiphil IMPERFECT 142:3 "my spirit" This is the Hebrew term ruah (BDB 924), which denotes "wind," "breath," or "spirit." It is used of the God-given life force in humanity. The psalmist is confused by the attacks of his accusers (i.e., those who hid a trap for him, Ps. 142:3d, cf. Ps. 140:4-5; 141:9-10; they are also called "persecutors" in Ps. 142:6c). The psalmist asserts that YHWH knows him (i.e., his path, where he walks, Ps. 142:3b,c and Psalm 139) but it does not feel that way (i.e., Ps. 142:4). SPECIAL TOPIC: BREATH, WIND, SPIRIT SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE ▣ NASB, NKJV, NRSV, NJB, Peshitta "overwhelmed" "faint" "failing me" "fails within me" This Hithpael INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT (BDB 742 III) basically means "to be feeble" or "to faint." feeble ‒ Hiphil, Gen. 30:42 faint ‒ Qal, Ps. 61:2; Isa. 57:16 faint ‒ Hithpael, Ps. 77:3; 107:5; 143:4; Lam. 2:12; Jonah 2:7 It is an idiom of discouragement and hopelessness. ▣ Lines b and c express the truth that God is well acquainted with the lives of His faithful followers. Why problems, sickness, rejection, and attacks come is a mystery (i.e., Job; Psalm 73), but the Bible teaches YHWH is for us, with us, and will never leave us. We can face circumstances with faith in Him! 142:4 The psalmist is surprised that no one comes to his aid (cf. Psalm 142:4), not even YHWH. Note the IMPERATIVES. look ‒ BDB 613, KB 661, Hiphil IMPERATIVE see ‒ BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERATIVE Line d is so sad! He felt all alone, all alone! He felt his situation was hopeless (i.e., Job; Psalm 73)! The LXX, apparently following the DSS understanding, made the IMPERATIVE into simple statements, "I look. . .I see," referring not to YHWH, but to the psalmist. This is followed by the Aramaic Targums and the Vulgate. I think the IMPERATIVES fit the context best (i.e., the psalmist is addressing God, Ps. 142:1-3). ▣ "No one cares for my soul" The PARTICIPLE (BDB 205, KB 233, Qal PARTICIPLE) is literally "seek" and the phrase may be translated "no one seeks my life," but this is easily misunderstood in English. So the NASB caught the meaning well. ▣ "soul" This is the Hebrew term nephesh; see note at Gen. 35:18. SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH
Salmos 142:5-7
142:5 This is the psalmist's affirmation of faith. You are my refuge My portion in the land of the living (i.e., note, not the afterlife, cf. Job 28:13; Ps. 27:13; 52:5; 116:9; Isa. 38:11; Jer. 11:19) ▣ "refuge" See SPECIAL TOPIC: REFUGE (OT). ▣ "my portion" See note at Ps. 16:5 online. 142:6-7 There is a series of prayer requests (Hiphil IMPERATIVES). give heed ‒ BDB 904, KB 1151, Hiphil IMPERATIVE deliver me ‒ BDB 664, KB 717, Hiphil IMPERATIVE bring out ‒ BDB 422, KB 425, Hiphil IMPERATIVE 142:7 "out of prison" This must be imagery for his confusion and low state (cf. Ps. 142:3-4,6-7) a reference to one taken forcibly into exile an idiom for Sheol The term "prison" (BDB 689) can mean "locksmith" or "smith" ‒ 2 Kgs. 24:14; Jer. 24:1; 29:2 dungeon (only three times in the OT) literal of eschatological underground prison (cf. I Enoch 10.4,12) figurative ‒ Isa. 42:7 ▣ "So that I may give thanks to Your name" This would be a request to visit the temple in Jerusalem. This is reinforced by the next line, "the righteous will surround me" (i.e., in corporate worship).