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Traditionally this prayer for deliverance from enemies is ascribed to David "when he was in the cave" (see also 57). Alone, imprisoned in a desperate situation caused by powerful enemies, the psalmist appeals to God to hear his cry and to lead him when he grows faint (st. 1). No one comes to his rescue (st. 2); the LORD is his only refuge (st. 3). Then the psalmist declares that he will praise the LORD for deliverance from this tribulation and that the righteous will join in the rejoicing (st. 4). Clarence P. Walhout (PHH 6) versified Psalm 142 in 1982 for the Psalter Hymnal.
Bert Polman, Psalter Hymnal Handbook
Our songs and prayers include honesty before God in which we express the pain we experience over our own sins and failures, the difficulties in both our lives and others’ lives, and our laments at the suffering and brokenness that marks our world and our lives. We have assurance, says Belgic Confession, Article 26, that Christ, our intercessor, will hear us, “since he suffered, being tempted, he is also able to help those who are tempted.”
We are encouraged to approach the throne with boldness so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Belgic Confession, Article 26, based on Hebrews 4). “We grieve that the church…has become a broken communion in a broken world” (Our World Belongs to God, paragraph 40).
We also “lament that our abuse of creation has brought lasting damage to the world we have been given...” (Our World Belongs to God, paragraph 51). And we cry to God for those who suffer in our world, knowing “that God…is in a special way the God of the destitute, the poor and the wronged...” (Belhar Confession, Section 4).