Psalms 142:5

“I cried unto thee, O Lord, etc.] Finding no help from man, he turns to the Lord, and directs his prayer to him in his distress; I said, thou [art] my refuge; as he was, from all his enemies that were in pursuit of him, and from the storm of calamities he apprehended was coming upon him: and a refuge the Lord is to all his people in time of trouble; and where they always meet with sustenance, protection, and safety; he being a strong habitation, a strong hold, a strong refuge, to which they may resort at all times; and such is Christ to all sensible sinners that flee unto him, (<580618>Hebrews 6:18); [and] my portion in the land of the living; and a most excellent one he is, a large, immense,…”

“I cried unto thee, O Lord - When there was no help; when I saw myself encompassed with dangers; when I looked on every hand and there was no “man” that would undertake for me. I said, Thou art my refuge - (a) My “only” refuge. I can go nowhere else. (b) Thou art “in fact” my refuge. I can and do put my trust in thee. See the notes at Psalms 46:1. And my portion - See the notes at Psalms 16:5. In the land of the living - Among all those that live - all living beings. There is no one else among the living to whom I can come but to thee, the living God. My hope is not in human beings, for they are against me; not in angels, for they have not the power to rescue me. It is God only, the living…”

“Portion - Even in this life. Psalms 142:7”

“142:5 Though he is alone, the psalmist’s trust remains in the Lord, who is his life (see 9:9; 16:5; 27:13).”

“Thou art: Psa 46:1, Psa 46:7, Psa 46:11, Psa 62:6, Psa 62:7, Psa 91:2, Psa 91:9, Psa 91:10; Joh 16:32; Ti2 4:17 my portion: Psa 16:5, Psa 73:26, Psa 119:57; Lam 3:24 in the land: Psa 27:13, Psa 56:13 Psalms 142:6”