Psalms 142:4

Psalms 142:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
• New International Version (NIV)Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul.

Context of Psalms 142:4

2I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. 3When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me. I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. 5Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. 6Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.

Psalms 142:4 word by word

הַבֵּ֤יט יָמִ֨ין׀ וּרְאֵה֮ וְאֵֽין־לִ֪י מַ֫כִּ֥יר אָבַ֣ד מָנ֣וֹס מִמֶּ֑נִּי אֵ֖ין דּוֹרֵ֣שׁ לְנַפְשִֽׁי׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• I lookedנָבַטnâbaţ · to lookH5027
• right handיָמִיןyâmîyn · rightH3225
• and beheldרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• no man that would knowנָכַרnâkar · to recognizeH5234
• me: refugeמָנוֹסmânôs · refugeH4498
• failedאָבַד'âbad · to perishH6
• me; no man caredדָּרַשׁdârash · to seekH1875
• for my soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soulH5315

Cross-references for Psalms 142:4

• Psalms 31:11I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors— even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they run the other way.
• Psalms 69:20Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me.
• Psalms 88:8You have driven my friends away by making me repulsive to them. I am in a trap with no way of escape.
• Job 19:13“My relatives stay far away, and my friends have turned against me.
• Matthew 26:56But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.
• 2 Timothy 4:16The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them.
• 1 Samuel 23:11Will the leaders of Keilah betray me to him? And will Saul actually come as I have heard? O Lord, God of Israel, please tell me.” And the Lord said, “He will come.”
• 1 Samuel 27:1But David kept thinking to himself, “Someday Saul is going to get me. The best thing I can do is escape to the Philistines. Then Saul will stop hunting for me in Israelite territory, and I will finally be safe.”

Commentaries on Psalms 142:4

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4I looked on my right hand, and beheld - Margin, “Look on the right hand and see The words translated “looked” and “beheld” are in the imperative mood in the Hebrew. They are not, however, improperly rendered as to the sense. They refer to David‘s state of mind at the time, and give vividness to the description. The psalmist seems to be in the presence of others. He calls upon them to look around; to see how he was encompassed with danger. Look, says he…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4The psalmist feels deep despair (see Psalm 77:3), and the Lord helps him in his distress. The psalmist trusts in the Lord's wisdom (see Psalm 139) but mourns being trapped by evil people (5:9–10; 140:5; 141:9; 142:3).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. Utter desolation is meant. right hand--the place of a protector (Psa 110:5). cared for--literally, "sought after," to do good.Read the comment
• Rashi on Tanakh · v. 4and You know my path how many snares are in it.Read the comment

In the dictionaries

• Prison
• Care; Carefulness; Careful
• Fail
• Psalms, Book of
• Maschil

Commentaries on Psalms 142

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary