The Meaning of Psalms 142:1 Explained

Psalms 142:1

KJV: {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.

YLT: An Instruction of David, a Prayer when he is in the cave. My voice is unto Jehovah, I cry, My voice is unto Jehovah, I entreat grace.

Darby: {An instruction of David; when he was in the cave: a prayer.} I cry unto Jehovah with my voice: with my voice unto Jehovah do I make supplication.

ASV: I cry with my voice unto Jehovah; With my voice unto Jehovah do I make supplication.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{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. 

What does Psalms 142:1 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 142:1-7 - "no Man Cared For My Soul"
The cave was dark and shared by rough and lawless men with whom David had little sympathy. His gentle and devout spirit must often have craved for more congenial society. But he never ceased to cry and make supplication whenever his spirit was overwhelmed. Are you in that plight? Be comforted by the reflection that God knows your path. It is the predestined way, Ephesians 2:10. Before the heavens or earth were made it was prepared. God foreknew all its perplexities and difficulties-how dark the shadows, how fearsome the black current-but He chose it as your best way home. Are all faces averted? Does no one seem to care? Is your soul in prison, and are your persecutors strong? Be of good cheer! Reinforcements of divine grace are on their way; the righteous shall crown themselves because of you; and you will say with your dying breath, "He has dealt bountifully with me." [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 142

1  David shows that in his trouble all his comfort was in prayer unto God

What do the individual words in Psalms 142:1 mean?

A Contemplation of David when he was in the cave A Prayer with my voice to Yahweh I cry out with my voice I make my supplication
מַשְׂכִּ֥יל לְדָוִ֑ד בִּהְיוֹת֖וֹ בַמְּעָרָ֣ה תְפִלָּֽה ק֭וֹלִי אֶל־ יְהוָ֣ה אֶזְעָ֑ק ק֝וֹלִ֗י אֶתְחַנָּֽן

מַשְׂכִּ֥יל  A  Contemplation 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מַשְׂכִּיל  
Sense: (Hiphil) poem, song or poem of contemplation.
לְדָוִ֑ד  of  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
בִּהְיוֹת֖וֹ  when  he  was 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
בַמְּעָרָ֣ה  in  the  cave 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: מְעָרָה  
Sense: cave, den, hole.
תְפִלָּֽה  A  Prayer 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: תְּפִלָּה  
Sense: prayer.
ק֭וֹלִי  with  my  voice 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: קֹול 
Sense: voice, sound, noise.
יְהוָ֣ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
אֶזְעָ֑ק  I  cry  out 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: זָעַק  
Sense: to cry, cry out, call, call for help.
ק֝וֹלִ֗י  with  my  voice 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: קֹול 
Sense: voice, sound, noise.
אֶתְחַנָּֽן  I  make  my  supplication 
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: חָנַן 
Sense: to be gracious, show favour, pity.