Psalm 142: Feeling Unsafe and Unloved

Psalm 142:4 "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."

Have you ever felt unsafe? Have you ever felt unloved? Have you ever felt both unsafe and unloved at the same time? If so, then you can certainly sympathize and pray along with the words of David in Psalm 142. In this psalm, we will see that amidst feeling unsafe and unloved, God is our refuge and our hope.

The first thing we see in this psalm is David's address to God in verses 1 and 2. David expresses that he is pleading "for mercy to the Lord" (1) and pouring out his "complaint before him." Notice that David actaully uses the word "complaint" here. Scripture commands us in Phillipians 2:14 not to complain. How can we then deal with this text? The key is found in posture. The complaining that is condemned in Phillipians 2:14 is a complaining that is rooted in pride. We want what we want, so we complain until we get it. However, the posture of David's complain was far different. He knew that the Lord was his only hope, so he complained to him. David knew that God was fully sovereign, so he lifted up his cry. He was not grumbling like an infant; he was petitioning like a mature adult who knows where his help comes from.

Secondly, we see David's problem: that he is unsafe and unloved. In the verse quoted above, we can see this. David expresses that no one takes notice of him and that no refuge remains for him. He has no one who cares for him, and nowhere to go to protect him from life's trials. We must note that this psalm is in the context of David hiding in a cave from Saul (see Title). The irony is that David, when penning this psalm, was in fact in a place of refuge. However, he knew that this was not enough to save him from his enemies, for only God could do that.

Lastly, we see David's petition. Notice the irony here: "I cry out to you, O Lord; I say 'You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living'" (5). David just cried out to God because he felt unsafe and unloved, but in this very petition we find that David is both safe and loved. God provides him both refuge to keep him save, and himself as a portion to know that he is loved. God keeps David protected in the refuge of himself, and gives himself to him as his portion simply because he loves David. Though David is in such a deep trial that he uses the word "prison" to describe it (7), he knows where his hope comes from, and he knows who to petition to in times of need. For God is his only true source of safety and love.

I know that in my own life, I can often feel unsafe and even unloved. The trials of life often surround us so greatly, and they cause us to feel like we are "imprisoned" by them. In these times, it is tempting to give up all hope and curse God to his face. However, the psalmist shows us here that even when we are feeling unsafe and unloved, we have a God who is there for us, that is, a God who will both protect us and love us more than we could ever imagine.

So, are you feeling unsafe this morning? Perhaps you have a great trial around you that you feel like you cannot escape. Are you feeling unloved this morning? Perhaps a friend or a parent rejected you, and you don't know what to do with that. Do not fear: for God is both your refuge and your portion. He will protect you and satisfy you when you are in need. Praise him for this today, I ask of you. Amen.