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Illustration for Psalm 142: When No One Else Cares

Psalm 142

When No One Else Cares

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David wrote this when he was hiding in a cave, feeling completely alone. He pours out his complaint to God because there was no one else to turn to. He knows that God is his refuge and the only one who truly knows the way he should go.

  1. 1I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
  2. 2I pour out my complaint before Him; I tell Him my trouble.
  3. 3When my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who know my path. In the way where I walk they have hidden a snare for me.
  4. 4Look to my right and see: no one acknowledges me; I have no refuge; no one cares about my soul.
  5. 5I cry to You, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."
  6. 6Listen to my cry, for I am very low; deliver me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.
  7. 7Free me from prison, that I may praise Your name. The righteous will gather around me when You are good to me.

What it means

David wrote this in a cave, feeling like nobody in the world cared. He told God the whole complaint, because there was no one else to tell. If you have ever felt completely alone, this psalm proves that feeling has a place to go.

A little prayer

God, sometimes I feel like nobody notices or cares. I am pouring it all out to You because You always listen. Thank You that You know the way I should go. Amen.

Memory verse

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

Psalm 142:5 (BSB)

It says the loneliness out loud and then names who is still there.

Talk about it

Questions with no single right answer — for a family table or a Sunday-school circle.

  1. David wrote this in a cave, feeling nobody cared. Have you felt like that?
  2. He says he pours out his complaint to God. What is the difference between complaining and praying?
  3. He says 'You are my refuge'. Is that a feeling or a decision here?
  4. Who would notice if you went quiet for a week?

Try this

Who would notice

Write down three people who would notice if you disappeared for a week. Then write down three people who would notice if *they* did. Contact one of the second list today.

You will need: Paper and a pen.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)