Psalm 142 interpretation. Psalter

Written, according to the inscriptions of the Greek and Latin Bibles, during the persecution of Absalom, the psalm represents a prayer to God for possible quick help and inner enlightenment of the persecuted writer.

God! Hear me and do not enter into judgment with Your servant (1-2). The enemy is pursuing me; I lose courage and calm down only by thinking about Your works (3-5). I wait for help from You, like a thirsty land for rain. Grant me Your mercy and deliver me from my enemies (6–9). Teach me to do Your will and destroy my enemies (10–12).

. God! Hear my prayer, heed my prayer according to Thy truth; hear me according to Your righteousness

. and do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for not one living will be justified before You.

“Listen to my prayer according to Thy truth; hear me according to Your righteousness". Protect, O Lord, me, unjustly persecuted, and punish the persecutors as those who act wickedly, since You, Lord, are the defender of righteousness.

. The enemy pursues my soul, trampled my life into the ground, forced me to live in darkness, like those long dead, -

“Trampled my life into the ground”- danger threatens me with death, descent into the earth, into the grave.

. I remember the days of old, I meditate on all Your works, I reason about the works of Your hands.

“I remember the days of old, I meditate on all Your works, I consider the works of Your hands.”. In the difficult circumstances of persecution, David recalled the extraordinary mercy that the Lord had shown in the history of the Jewish people, reflected, as far as circumstances allowed, on everything that He did, and reflected on all His creation. Obviously, these reflections had a calming effect on David, as they revealed the extraordinary love of God for all created things, which is why in the following verses David continues to turn to Him with a prayer for quick help (vv. 6–7).

. Grant me early hearing of Your mercy, for I trust in You. Show me, [Lord], the path along which I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.

. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I come running to You.

. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; May Your good Spirit lead me to the land of righteousness.

"It's too early to hear mercy"- see an ambulance. – "Show me... the path I should take", “teach me to do Your will”, “Let Your good Spirit lead me into the land of righteousness”– synonymous expressions. Teach me, Lord, to steadfastly follow Your commandments, so that I may be worthy to dwell in that land (Palestine), which You have appointed only for the righteous.

. For Thy name's sake, O Lord, quicken me; For the sake of Your righteousness, lead my soul out of adversity.

"For Thy name's sake, O Lord, quicken me"- in order to be worthy to praise Your name, revive me with justification, internal cleansing from my shortcomings. Here, David’s recognition of some of his uncleanness before the Gods during his flight from his enemies is one of the signs of the origin of the psalm in the persecution of Absalom, which we discussed above.

This psalm is the last in the sixth psalm. Having strengthened a person in the hope of receiving salvation (), the Church on behalf of the believers prays to God to show him the path of activity (8th article), teach him to do His will and honor him with “lands and righteousness” (10).

And contains 150 chapters or psalms. A psalm is a text that is written in poetic form, although, of course, the rhyme is observed in the original Hebrew. In the Russian language, poetic form, unfortunately, has not been achieved and translators have preserved only the meaning of the text for modern Christians.

History of writing

The Psalter was written in Hebrew and was used in temple services and during the worship of the Lord. Over time, the book was supplemented with texts, after David’s death, but Psalm 142 was written by him during the time of his family tragedy.

Righteous David the Psalmist

The lyrics of the song are directed to the Lord; this is not a prayer of the king, but of the inconsolable father David, who suffered from the greed and ambition of his own son. Absalom was one of the king's sons, he killed his half-brother because he abused Absalom's own sister. But the king forgave him and returned him home when he ran away in fear from the presence of the king.

David forgave Absalom and brought himself closer to him again, but he insidiously began to gather an army against his father and he was forced to flee from his own son. The text of this psalm (like several others) was written during this shameful flight.

Today Christians have the opportunity to read the psalm in translations into more than 100 languages, including Russian(Synodal or modern translation). This song covers quite a lot of topics: remembering blessings, asking the Lord for protection, one’s own repentance, asking for wisdom, destroying enemies and guidance on the true path.

Text of Psalm 142:

1. God! Hear my prayer, heed my prayer according to Thy truth; Hear me according to Your righteousness and do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for not one living will be justified before You.
2. The enemy pursues my soul, trampled my life into the ground, forced me to live in darkness, like those long dead,
3. and my spirit became sad within me, my heart became numb within me.
4. I remember the days of old, I meditate on all Your works, I reason about the works of Your hands.
5. I stretch out my hands to You; my soul is drawn to You, like a thirsty land.
6. Hear me soon, O Lord: my spirit faints; do not hide Your face from me, lest I become like those who go down to the grave.
7. Grant me early hearing of Your mercy, for I trust in You. Show me, [Lord], the path along which I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.
8. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I come running to You.
9. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; May Your good Spirit lead me to the land of righteousness.
10. For Thy name's sake, O Lord, quicken me; For the sake of Your righteousness, lead my soul out of adversity.
11. And by Thy mercy destroy my enemies and destroy all who oppress my soul, for I am Thy servant.

Interpretation

There are several published printed interpretations on the entire Psalter in general and specifically on 142 cantos.

From the first line it becomes clear that the author is desperate and frantically asks the Lord for help. The words “Lord, why don’t you hear me?” they talk about David’s despair, that he is looking for and cannot find an answer. He calls the Lord, calls Him his Protector and Comforter, speaks of his own grief, of the darkness into which he has fallen. He asks the Creator for mercy and protection, because only God can destroy all enemies and once again raise the king to his throne.

David asks the Lord for help, mercy and protection

The one who prays clearly understands how incompetent he is before the Almighty Creator. The psalm clearly reflects the idea that the law (the set of rules of the Jews) cannot save a person, but only the love of God and His mercy is capable of this. In the New Testament, the same idea can be traced in Jesus Christ, as well as in the letters of the Apostle Paul.

PSALMTER, Psalm 142 Psalm of David, when he was persecuted by his son Absalom.

God! Hear my prayer, heed my prayer according to Thy truth; Hear me according to Your righteousness and do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for not one living will be justified before You. The enemy pursues my soul, trampled my life into the ground, forced me to live in darkness, like those long dead - and my spirit became sad within me, my heart became numb within me. I remember the days of old, I meditate on all Your works, I reason about the works of Your hands. I stretch out my hands to You; my soul is drawn to You, like a thirsty land. Hear me soon, O Lord: my spirit faints; do not hide Your face from me, lest I become like those who go down to the grave. Grant me early hearing of Your mercy, for I trust in You. Show me, Lord, the path I should follow, for I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I come running to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; May Your good Spirit lead me to the land of righteousness. For Thy name's sake, O Lord, quicken me; For the sake of Your righteousness, lead my soul out of adversity. And by Thy mercy destroy my enemies and destroy all who oppress my soul, for I am Thy servant.

PSALMS, Psalm 142.

Lord, hear my prayer, inspire my prayer in your truth, hear me in your righteousness; and do not enter into judgment with your servant, for no one living will be justified before you. For the enemy has driven away my soul; I humbled my belly to the ground; He planted me in dark, like dead centuries. And my spirit is depressed within me, my heart is troubled within me. I have remembered the days of old, I have learned from all your deeds, I have learned from the creation of your hand. My hands lift up to you; my soul is like a waterless land to you. Hear me soon, O Lord, my spirit has disappeared; do not turn your face away from me, and I will become like those who go down into the pit. I hear you show me your mercy in the morning, for I trust in you; tell me, Lord, the way, in the same way I will go, as if I took my soul to you. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, I have come to you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; Your good one will guide me to the right land. For your name's sake, Lord, live for me in your righteousness; remove my soul from sorrow; and consume your mercy by my enemies and destroy all my cold souls; for I am your servant.

The Psalter is part of the Old Testament, it contains 150 chapters written in poetic form. This book was written over a long period of time; experts count about a dozen authors, among them King David. He is credited with the authorship of most of the prayers, including Psalm 142.

Like most Old Testament books, the Psalter was originally written in Hebrew language. Over time, it was translated into other languages ​​- Latin, Greek, English, German, Slavic. Today, in addition to the Synodal translation (many linguists consider it not particularly expressive), there is a translation into modern Russian.

The text of Psalm 142 was composed as an appeal to God from the persecuted author. It is believed that the reason for writing was the persecution of Absalom against his father David. Although he was the rightful king, he became the victim of an insidious conspiracy. A number of psalms are dedicated to this dramatic story, including Psalm 142.

Some theologians, due to the power of expressiveness, call this biblical comprehensive chapter. It covers a lot of different topics:

• A call to the Lord, requests to listen.
• Repentance for one's own sins.
• The crisis in which the exiled ruler finds himself - he asks the Lord to show the way.
• Memories of those days when God miraculously delivered his people from any trouble.
• Despair.
• Sincerity in the, urgency of the call for help.
• Requests for mercy and the need for guidance.

The fiery call ends a plea for protection, the extermination of enemies who prevent David from making a path pleasing to the Creator.

Use in worship

No Bible book is used as widely during church services in the Russian Orthodox Church as the Psalter. It was translated into Church Slavonic by Cyril and Methodius.

• The oldest manuscripts of the Slavic Psalter date back to the 11th century. - this is the so-called “Sinai Psalter”. Written on parchment, it was found in the monastery of St. Catherine with many other biblical texts.

According to the church charter, Psalm 142 read at every evening service as part of the Six Psalms. It sounds last in a series of other chapters that are considered repentant. These texts are also widely used by Catholics.

Theological interpretation

For pronunciation during worship, only Church Slavonic is used; for in-depth study, it is better to take the text in Russian. Many theologians have studied Psalm 142, and interpretations are published in separate publications. By becoming acquainted with them, you can deepen your knowledge of the Bible.

Already in the first line it becomes clear to the reader that the author is quite cried a lot and diligently for help. His words are full of impatience: “Lord, why don’t you hear me?” After all, he considers only him his intercessor, a defender from enemies. And there is much evidence of this in the Old Testament. But now the moment has come when the answer is delayed.

It’s not for nothing that David writes that not a single living soul will not be able to justify himself before the Creator. “Lord, I would not like to be judged before You!” - this idea can be traced in the second verse. A person cannot complete his earthly journey absolutely righteously. Since obedience was broken by Adam, the soul of his descendants is affected by sin even in the womb. The one who prays clearly realizes his inadequacy before the holiness of Jehovah. Here the postulate is declared that salvation by works of the law is impossible. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul expounds on it in more detail.

As can be seen from the entire range of experiences expressed in the text, the author of the psalm was not at all restrained in his feelings. From strong confidence in God, he slides into despair. His metaphorical language very expressive, sometimes even passionate. While David exhibited stoic faith, he was not at all free from ordinary human experiences. He is familiar with the feelings of confusion, loneliness, resentment and indignation.

Road of the Righteous

The soul of a sinner is like a dried-up field, which can only be saved by the gracious breath of God. In anguish, the believer stretches out his hands to heaven, and opens his soul to receive revelation. He asks: “Tell me, Lord, the way, I’ll go the other way,” that is, he no longer knows what to do, he is waiting for instructions from God, for which he strives with all his soul to find out the will of the Almighty.

It would seem like cowardice, but in fact here hidden deep wisdom. David asks, “Lord, show me the path I should take to please You.” He understands that the whole earth is saturated with the breath of the Holy Spirit. The Creator arranges the external circumstances of life in such a way that people find a reason for edification in them. Facing obstacles and communicating with others, a person learns mutual assistance, patience and love. And sensitive blows to pride can make it clear that he is moving in the wrong direction.

"Lord, destroy my enemies"

It happens that a believer finds himself surrounded by ill-wishers. He himself is unable to get rid of them, he cannot even hide. Then the Christian must resort to prayer. They, like a shield, will protect the righteous from any trouble.

Tests are not sent in vain. They force a person to strive for God with all his soul, to look for Him everywhere. For those who are ready to give up, the lines of Psalm 143 will always serve as consolation.

• You can appeal to heaven in any circumstances.
• The Almighty Himself wants all sorrows to be placed on His shoulders.
• God is always ready to listen.
• Persistent prayer dictated by faith will certainly be heard.

The believer who seeks protection from his Creator will never be disappointed in his expectations.

Psalm 134.

Praise the name of the Lord, praise the servants of the Lord, you who stand in the temple of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good, sing to His name, for it is good: for the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His own possession. For I have known that the Lord is Great, and our Lord is above all gods. The Lord create all that He pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and in all the abysses. Raising clouds from the last of the earth, creating lightning into rain, driving winds from Your treasures. Smite the firstborn of Egypt, from man to beast. Send signs and wonders among you, Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants. Smite many tongues and slay mighty kings: Zion, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdom of Canaan, and give the land their heritage, a heritage for Israel, for His people. Lord, Thy name is for ever, and Thy memorial is for all generations: for the Lord will judge His people, and He will pray for His servants. Idol the tongue, silver and gold, the works of human hands. They have lips and do not speak; they have eyes and do not see; they have ears and do not hear; for there is spirit in their mouth. Let those who create, and all who trust in her, be like them. House of Israel, bless the Lord; house of Aaron, bless the Lord; house of Levi, bless the Lord. Ye who fear the Lord, bless the Lord. Blessed be the Lord of Zion, who dwelleth in Jerusalem.

Psalm 135.

Confess to the Lord that He is good, for His mercy endures forever. Confess to the God of gods, for His mercy endures forever. Confess to the Lord of lords, for His mercy endures forever. Great to the One who performed miracles, for His mercy endures forever. To Him who created the heavens with His understanding, for His mercy endures forever. Who established the earth on the waters, for His mercy endures forever. Great is the One who created the luminaries, for His mercy endures forever. The sun is in the daylight, for His mercy endures forever. The moon and stars in the region of the night, for His mercy endures forever. He who smote Egypt with its firstborn, for His mercy endures forever, and He who brought Israel out from among them, for His mercy endures forever. With a strong hand and a high muscle, for His mercy endures forever. He divided the Red Sea into divisions, for His mercy endures forever. And He brought Israel through the midst of them, for His mercy endures forever. And he who shook Pharaoh and his strength in the Red Sea, for His mercy endures forever. He who led His people in the wilderness, for His mercy endures forever. He who smote great kings, for His mercy endures forever, and he who slew mighty kings, for His mercy endures forever: Zion king of the Amorites, for His mercy endures forever, and Og, king of Bashan, for His mercy endures forever. And to him who gave the land their inheritance, for His mercy endures forever. A treasure unto Israel His servant, for His mercy endureth forever. For in our humility we will remember the Lord, for His mercy endures forever. And He delivered us from our enemies, for His mercy endures forever. Give food to all flesh, for His mercy endures forever. Confess to the Heavenly God, for His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 136.

On the rivers of Babylon, there weeping and lamenting, we will never remember Zion. On the willows in the middle of both of them are our organs. For there they asked us, captivating us about the words of the songs and leading us about singing: sing to us from the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the song of the Lord in foreign lands? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, my right hand will be forgotten. Cling my tongue to my throat, lest I remember you, lest I offer Jerusalem, as at the beginning of my joy. Remember, O Lord, the sons of Edom, who said on the day of Jerusalem: exhaust, exhaust it to its foundations. Accursed daughter of Babylon, blessed is she who will give you the reward that you have given to us. Blessed is he who is and will dash Your babies on the stone.

Glory:

Psalm 137.

Let me confess to You, O Lord, with all my heart, and before the Angels I will sing to You, for You have heard all the words of my mouth. I will bow to Thy holy temple and confess to Thy name about Thy mercy and Thy truth, for Thou hast magnified Thy holy name above all. Even if I call on You every day, quickly hear me: increase me in my souls by Your power. May all the kings of the earth confess to You, O Lord, that they have heard all the words of Your mouth, and may they sing in the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord, for the Lord is High, and He looks upon the humble, and high news from afar. Even if I go in the midst of sorrow, live for me; my enemy has stretched out Your hand to anger, and Your right hand will save me. The Lord will reward me. Lord, Your mercy endures forever, do not despise the work of Your hand.

Psalm 138.

Lord, you have tempted me and you have known me. You have known my sitting and my rising. Thou hast understood my thoughts from afar: Thou hast explored my path and mine already, and Thou hast foreseen all my paths. For there is no flattery in my tongue: behold, O Lord, Thou hast known. All that is recent and ancient: You created me, and You laid Your hand on me. If Your mind is amazed at me, become established, I will not be able to reach it. Where shall I go from Your Spirit? And do I flee from Your face? If I go up to heaven, there you are, if I go down to hell, there you are. If I take my wings early and dwell in the last of the seas, then Thy hand will guide me and Thy right hand will hold me. And reh: food darkness will trample me, and night enlightenment in my sweetness. For darkness will not be darkened by You, and night, like day, will be enlightened; like its darkness, so is its light. For You created my womb, You took me from my mother’s womb. Let us confess to You that You were terribly surprised: Your works are wonderful, and my soul knows it well. My bone is not hidden from You, which You have created in secret, and my composition in the depths of the earth. Thy eyes have seen what I have not done, and in Thy book all things will be written, in these days they will be created and no one in them. I was greatly honored by Your friends, O God, having greatly established their dominion. I will count them, and they will multiply more than the sand; I have risen, and am still with You. If sinners beat you, O God, men of blood, turn away from me. Because you are jealous in your thoughts, your cities will be reduced to vanity. Have not those who hated Thee, O Lord, hated Thy enemies? I hated them with complete hatred, they were my enemies. Tempt me, O God, and convince my heart, try me and understand my paths, and see if the path of iniquity is in me, and guide me on the eternal path.

Psalm 139.

Deliver me, O Lord, from the wicked man, deliver me from the unrighteous man, who have thought unrighteousness in my heart, and fight with the army all day long, having sharpened my tongue like a serpent, the poison of asps under their lips. Save me, O Lord, from the hand of sinners, take me away from the unrighteous people, who thought the heels of my feet. The pride hid the net for me, and the snakes tied the net for my feet. Along the path, put temptations aside. Reh of the Lord: Thou art my God, inspire, O Lord, the voice of my prayer. Lord, Lord, the power of my salvation, you have overshadowed my head on the day of battle. Do not betray me, O Lord, from my desire as a sinner: having thought on me, do not forsake me, lest they be exalted. The head of their surroundings, the labor of their lips will cover I. Coals of fire will fall on them, cast me down in passion, and they will not stand. A pagan man will not be corrected on earth: an unrighteous and evil man will be caught into corruption. I knew that the Lord would bring judgment to the poor and vengeance to the needy. Both the righteous will confess to Your Name, and the righteous will dwell with Your face.

Glory:

Psalm 140.

Lord, I have called to You, hear me: listen to the voice of my prayer, sometimes I will cry to You. May my prayer be corrected, like incense before You, the lifting of my hand is an evening sacrifice. Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth, and a guard over my mouth. Do not turn my heart into the words of wickedness, do not bear the guilt of sins with people who practice iniquity, and I will not count with their chosen ones. The righteous will punish me with mercy and reprove me, but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head, for my prayer is also in their favor. The sacrifices were at the stone of their judge: my words will be heard, for I have done it. Like the thickness of the earth has sagged on the earth, scattering their bones in hell. For my eyes are toward You, O Lord, Lord: I have trusted in You, do not take away my soul. Keep me from the snare that I have made, and from the temptation of those who practice iniquity. Sinners will fall into their depths: I am one, until I will pass away.

Psalm 141.

With my voice I cried to the Lord, with my voice I prayed to the Lord. I will pour out my prayer before Him, I will declare my sorrow before Him. Sometimes my spirit disappears from me: and You have known my paths: on this path, I walked in the wrong way, hiding the snare for me. Looking at the right hand and looking, and not without knowing me: perish, flee from me, and seek my soul. I cried out to You, O Lord, saying: You are my hope, You are my part in the land of the living. Listen to my prayer, for you have greatly humbled yourself, deliver me from those who persecute me, for you have become stronger than me. Bring my soul out of prison, to confess to Your name. The righteous are waiting for me, until now reward me.

Psalm 142.

Lord, hear my prayer, inspire my prayer in Thy truth, hear me in Thy righteousness, and do not enter into judgment with Thy servant, for no one living will be justified before You. As if the enemy drove my soul, he humbled my belly to eat, he planted me to eat in dark, like dead centuries. And my spirit is depressed within me, my heart is troubled within me. I have remembered the days of old, I have learned in all Your works, I have learned Your hand in all creation. My hands have lifted up to You, my soul, like a waterless land to You. Hear me soon, Lord, my spirit has disappeared, do not turn Your face away from me, and I will become like those who go down into the pit. I hear Thy mercy upon me in the morning, for I trust in Thee. Tell me, Lord, I will go the other way, because I have taken my soul to You. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Your Good Spirit will guide me to the right land. For Thy name's sake, O Lord, live me, by Thy righteousness remove my soul from sorrow. And by Thy mercy consume my enemies and destroy all my cold souls, for I am Thy servant.

Glory:

According to the 19th kathisma, Trisagion.

The same troparia, tone 7: Thanks, I praise You, my God, for you have given repentance to all sinners. Savior, do not disgrace me, when you come to judge the whole world, the shameful deeds of the one who has done. Glory: Immeasurable to You, having sinned and immeasurable torment, I await, my God, having mercy, save me. And now: I now resort to the multitude of Your mercy: resolve the chains, O Theotokos, of my sins.

Lord, have mercy (40) and prayer:

Master Christ God, Who healed my passions with Your Passion and healed my ulcers with Your ulcers, grant to me, who have sinned much against You, tears of tenderness, dissolve my body from the smell of Your life-giving Body, and delight my soul with Your Honest Blood from sorrow, with which I was given a drink by the enemy. . Raise my mind to You, which has been drawn down below, and lift me from the abyss of destruction, as I am not the imam of repentance, not the imam of tenderness, not the imam of comforting tears, leading children to their inheritance. My mind has been darkened by worldly passions, I cannot look to You in illness, I cannot warm myself with tears, even love for You, but, Master Lord Jesus Christ, Treasure of the Good, grant me complete repentance, and a heart laboring to seek Yours, grant me grace Yours, and renew in me the eyes of Your image. Forsaken Thee, do not forsake me, go out to seek me, lead me to Thy pasture, and number me among the sheep of Thy chosen flock, educate me with them from the grain of Thy Divine mysteries, through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen.