The emphasis of the first two lines rests upon אל־ה. Forsaken by all created beings, he confides in Jahve. He turns to Him in pathetic and importunate prayer (זעק, the parallel word being התחנּן, as in Psalm 30:9), and that not merely inwardly (Exodus 14:15), but with his voice (vid., on Psalm 3:5) - for audible prayer reacts soothingly, strengtheningly, and sanctifyingly upon the praying one - he pours out before Him his trouble which distracts his thoughts (שׁפך שׂיח as in Psalm 102:1, cf. Psalm 62:9; Psalm 64:2; 1 Samuel 1:16), he lays open before Him everything that burdens and distresses him. Not as though He did not also know it without all this; on the contrary, when his spirit (רוּחי as in Psalm 143:4; Psalm 77:4, cf. נפשׁי Jonah 2:7, Psalm 107:5, לבּי Psalm 61:3) within him (עלי, see Psalm 42:5) is enshrouded and languishes, just this is his consolation, that Jahve is intimately acquainted with his way together with the dangers that threaten him at every step, and therefore also understands how to estimate the title (right) and meaning of his complaints. The Waw of ואתּה is the same as in 1 Kings 8:36, cf. Psalm 35. Instead of saying: then I comfort myself with the fact that, etc., he at once declares the fact with which he comforts himself. Supposing this to be the case, there is no need for any alteration of the text in order to get over that which is apparently incongruous in the relation of Psalm 142:4 to Psalm 142:4.

Psalm 142:7 Parallel Commentaries

my soul

Psalm 9:1 I will praise you, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all your marvelous works.

Psalm 13:1 How long will you forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long will you hide your face from me?

Psalm 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good.

Psalm 31:8 And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: you have set my feet in a large room.

Psalm 88:4-8 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that has no strength...

Psalm 143:11 Quicken me, O LORD, for your name's sake: for your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.

Psalm 146:7 Which executes judgment for the oppressed: which gives food to the hungry. The LORD looses the prisoners:

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek...

Acts 2:24 Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be held of it.

the righteous

Psalm 7:6,7 Arise, O LORD, in your anger, lift up yourself because of the rage of my enemies...

Psalm 22:21-27 Save me from the lion's mouth: for you have heard me from the horns of the unicorns...

Psalm 34:2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

Psalm 107:41,42 Yet sets he the poor on high from affliction, and makes him families like a flock...

Psalm 119:74 They that fear you will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in your word.

thou shalt

Psalm 13:6 I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 116:7 Return to your rest, O my soul; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

Psalm 119:17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live, and keep your word.

James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord...