Psalm 142 2

Psalm 142:2 kjv

I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

Psalm 142:2 nkjv

I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble.

Psalm 142:2 niv

I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.

Psalm 142:2 esv

I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.

Psalm 142:2 nlt

I pour out my complaints before him
and tell him all my troubles.

Psalm 142 verses

Psalm 142 2 Meaning

Psalm 142:2 expresses the Psalmist's raw and unfiltered communication with God during a time of extreme distress. It describes a deep, emotional, and explicit pouring out of one's entire being, releasing inner turmoil and specifically articulating their overwhelming anguish directly into God's presence. This action demonstrates complete vulnerability and a singular reliance on the Lord.

Psalm 142 2 Context

Psalm 142 is a Maskil of David, titled "A Prayer when he was in the cave." This likely refers to David's flight from Saul, specifically mentioned in 1 Sam 22:1-2 (Cave of Adullam) or 1 Sam 24 (Cave of En Gedi). In these periods, David was isolated, friendless, and relentlessly pursued, feeling trapped and without human help. The preceding verse (142:1) describes a fervent, loud cry to the Lord. Verse 2 elaborates on the nature of this cry: it is not a vague appeal but a full disclosure of his inner burden and outward tribulation, signifying an act of complete dependence and desperate honesty toward God in a place of utmost vulnerability.

Psalm 142 2 Word analysis

• I pour out (אֶשְׁפֹּךְ, 'eshpokh):

  • Word Level: From the root שָׁפַךְ (shapakh), meaning "to pour out" (e.g., water, blood). It signifies a complete, unreserved, and often forceful release or emptying.
  • Significance: It implies a total disclosure, holding nothing back, as if emptying one's very being. This is not a hesitant murmur but a torrent of emotion and truth. It contrasts with reserved or polite requests, pointing to an urgent, desperate release.

• my complaint (שִׂיחִי, siyakhi):

  • Word Level: From the root שִׂיחַ (siyakh), meaning "to muse," "to meditate," "to complain," or "to groan." It's more than a trivial grumble; it implies a deep internal churning, a burdensome rumination that now finds vocal expression.
  • Significance: This "complaint" is the inner anguish, sorrow, or profound distress that weighs heavily on the soul. It's the expression of deep hurt or a grievance against the circumstances or perceived injustice, yet always directed to God, implying an expectation of divine hearing and action.

• before him (לְפָנָיו, lephanaiv):

  • Word Level: Literally "to his face," "in his presence," or "in front of him." The preposition לְ (le-) signifies direction "to" or "for," and פָּנִים (panim) means "face" or "presence."
  • Significance: Emphasizes direct, personal, and intimate communion. It highlights that the complaint and trouble are presented specifically to God, who sees, hears, and is present. It rules out vague supplication and points to a face-to-face honesty with the Almighty.

• I tell (אַגִּיד, 'aggid):

  • Word Level: From the root נָגַד (nagad), meaning "to declare," "to make known," "to show," "to report." It's a proactive verbalization, an articulation of facts or feelings.
  • Significance: This word stresses the intentional and specific declaration of the issue. It's not just an emotional outburst but a clear exposition of the problem.

• my trouble (צָרָתִי, tsarati):

  • Word Level: From the root צָרַר (tsarar), which means "to be narrow," "to be straitened," "to be in distress," "to bind," "to tie up." Tsara specifically means distress, anguish, affliction, tribulation.
  • Significance: Describes a situation of severe hardship, a crushing pressure, or a feeling of being hemmed in and unable to escape. It denotes the objective external circumstances and the subjective internal suffering they cause.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "I pour out my complaint before him": This phrase emphasizes vulnerability and emotional release. It's an act of deep personal honesty where inner burdens are unburdened directly to God. It highlights God's welcoming nature for even the deepest human lament.
  • "I tell my trouble before him": This second part reiterates and specifies the first. While "complaint" (siyakhi) might encompass broader anguish and meditative sorrow, "trouble" (tsarati) points to specific distress or circumstances. "I tell" signifies clear articulation. The repetition with slightly different terms (siyakhi vs. tsarati and 'eshpokh vs. 'aggid) powerfully underlines the earnestness, fullness, and specificity of David's prayer. Both emphasize directness and reliance solely on God in the midst of extreme adversity.

Psalm 142 2 Bonus section

This verse implicitly challenges ancient pagan practices of ritualistic prayers or appeals to various deities based on specific afflictions, by positing a singular, all-hearing, and ever-present God to whom all aspects of one's suffering, no matter how great, can be addressed. It highlights the uniqueness of the Israelite God, Yahweh, in His willingness to receive genuine, unvarnished human anguish and respond personally. The intimacy of "before him" signifies that relationship precedes ritual; one can directly access God's comforting presence and voice deeply felt struggles. This model of prayer underscores a faith where God is not distant or unreachable, but intimately involved in the suffering of His people, providing a foundational basis for prayer found throughout Scripture.

Psalm 142 2 Commentary

Psalm 142:2 serves as a profound biblical template for authentic prayer in moments of profound suffering. David, cornered and despairing, doesn't offer superficial petitions or theological platitudes. Instead, he completely exposes his inner state—his burdened mind ("my complaint") and his overwhelming external suffering ("my trouble")—directly "before" God. This act of "pouring out" signifies an unreserved disclosure, holding nothing back, releasing all emotional and mental anguish. "Telling" implies an articulated, intentional confession of the specific hardship. The repeated phrase "before him" emphasizes that this lament is not generalized, but personal, intimate, and directed at God's very presence, trusting in His perfect understanding and unwavering presence. This verse reminds believers that God welcomes genuine, unedited laments, transforming human distress into an opportunity for divine communion and deliverance.

• Practical Usage: When overwhelmed by anxiety or hardship, believers can take literally David's example: voice their every concern, sorrow, and specific difficulty to God without reservation. This could be done through journaling, audible prayer, or even crying out. The emphasis is on full disclosure and deep honesty, rather than polite, filtered requests.