Psalm 142 5

Psalm 142:5 kjv

I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

Psalm 142:5 nkjv

I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.

Psalm 142:5 niv

I cry to you, LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."

Psalm 142:5 esv

I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."

Psalm 142:5 nlt

Then I pray to you, O LORD.
I say, "You are my place of refuge.
You are all I really want in life.

Psalm 142 verses

Psalm 142 5 Meaning

Psalm 142:5 expresses King David's desperate, yet trusting, prayer to the Most High God from a place of extreme distress. He unequivocally declares that God alone is his only source of safety and security (refuge) and his ultimate treasure and inheritance (portion) while he is still alive in this present world. This declaration is both a cry for help and an affirmation of faith in God's exclusive ability to provide all he needs, particularly when all other human avenues have failed.

Psalm 142 5 Context

Psalm 142 is a Maskil, a psalm of instruction or contemplation, and is sub-titled "A Prayer of David when he was in the cave." This likely refers to David's time hiding from Saul, perhaps in the cave of Adullam (1 Sam 22) or En Gedi (1 Sam 24). David is in deep distress, isolated, and feels abandoned by human support. The preceding verses (1-4) describe his urgent cries to God, his overwhelming spirit, and the absence of any human help or concern. He is literally trapped and perceives himself as having "no refuge" in the earthly sense (v. 4). Verse 5 immediately follows this desperate description, serving as David's profound theological response and an assertion of his singular hope in God when all else fails. His prayer moves from despair over human failing to fervent faith in divine sufficiency.

Psalm 142 5 Word analysis

• I cried: Hebrew qārā’tî (קָרָאתִי) - literally "I called" or "I cried out." This is an intense, urgent, and personal appeal, signifying deep distress and direct address. It implies a sense of immediacy and desperation, unlike a casual utterance.
• unto You: Implies direct and singular focus of the plea. The address is unequivocally to God, emphasizing that David sought no other recourse.
• O Lord: Hebrew YHWH (יְהוָה) - The covenant name of God, indicating His faithfulness, sovereignty, and personal relationship with His people. David appeals to God's character as revealed in His covenant promises, not merely as a generic deity.
• I said: Hebrew ’āmar-tî (אָמַרְתִּי) - "I spoke," "I declared." This is a definitive statement, an assertion of conviction. It's not just a fleeting thought but a proclaimed truth, spoken in direct response to his circumstances.
• You are my refuge: Hebrew maḥă-sī (מַחֲסִי) - "my refuge," "my shelter," "my place of safety." It denotes a secure place to flee to from danger, a stronghold. The term conveys complete safety and protection from external threats, embodying God as the ultimate source of security in the face of peril.
• and my portion: Hebrew ḥel-qī (חֶלְקִי) - "my portion," "my share," "my inheritance." This word signifies an allotment or possession, often used for land or property. In a theological sense, especially for Levites, God Himself was their portion, meaning their sustenance, their treasure, their inheritance, and their source of satisfaction. For David, it means God is his ultimate good, his sole sufficiency, and the essence of his reward. It's a statement of contentment and exclusive ownership.
• in the land of the living: Hebrew ba’aretz hachayyim (בְּאֶרֶץ הַחַיִּים) - "in the land of the living." This phrase indicates the present realm of human existence, contrasted with Sheol or the grave. It suggests a plea for sustained life and vitality, and that God's protection and provision are active and available in this temporal existence, not just in an afterlife. It implies hope for continued life and blessings now, in this life, by God's sustaining power.
• Word Group - "my refuge and my portion": These two terms collectively define God as both David's protector (from external harm) and his provider/satisfier (for internal need and ultimate belonging). This duality covers comprehensive reliance on God for security and fulfillment in all aspects of life. It’s a polemic against reliance on idols or human power for either safety or sustenance.
• Word Group - "I cried...I said": This emphasizes a progression from desperate, outward vocalization of distress to a determined, inner declaration of faith. It moves from emotional release to theological conviction.

Psalm 142 5 Bonus section

The Hebrew parallelism implied between "refuge" and "portion" underscores the holistic nature of God's provision. Not only does He shield from external threats, but He also satisfies the deepest inner needs, providing sustenance and worth. This concept challenges the idolatry of worldly security or material possessions. David's profound statement made in the deepest throes of fear and abandonment offers a powerful witness that true security and fulfillment are found solely in God, even when life feels completely devoid of hope. His cry transforms into a testimony of radical dependence on the Most High, foreshadowing the complete reliance believers have on Christ as their Rock and ultimate inheritance.

Psalm 142 5 Commentary

Psalm 142:5 encapsulates a profound theological truth born out of intense suffering. David, trapped in a cave and forsaken by all human aid, transitions from a lament of his desperate plight (vv. 1-4) to a resolute declaration of faith in God. His cry to the Lord is not just a desperate wail but a purposeful addressing of the Creator by His covenant name, YHWH, affirming a relationship built on trust and promise.

Declaring God as "my refuge" highlights His role as an impenetrable stronghold in times of overwhelming danger. This is more than a passive seeking of shelter; it is an active turning to the only One who can truly protect when worldly options are exhausted. Concurrently, stating God as "my portion" elevates Him above all earthly possessions and desires. In a culture where land and inheritance defined one's stability and future, David proclaims that God Himself is his greatest wealth, his sustenance, and his ultimate satisfaction, a treasure more enduring and valuable than any earthly inheritance. This conviction allows him to look beyond his immediate circumstances of poverty and danger.

The phrase "in the land of the living" grounds this declaration in present reality. David is not merely expressing hope for a future spiritual realm, but he trusts God to sustain him, deliver him, and bless him in this life, here and now, despite facing imminent death or despair. This profound faith speaks to the Lord's omnipresent care and power over life itself. This verse serves as an example for all believers in moments of abandonment and peril: when earthly supports fail, the sovereign God remains the absolute refuge and all-sufficient portion.

For example, when facing a grave illness and earthly resources are depleted, this verse speaks to declaring God as our refuge and ultimate portion for strength and sustenance. In times of professional loss and financial uncertainty, it calls to mind that God remains our ultimate provider, a "portion" more valuable than any earthly career or possession.