Psalms 142:4

Authorized King James Version

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I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

Original Language Analysis

הַבֵּ֤יט I looked H5027
הַבֵּ֤יט I looked
Strong's: H5027
Word #: 1 of 12
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
יָמִ֨ין׀ on my right hand H3225
יָמִ֨ין׀ on my right hand
Strong's: H3225
Word #: 2 of 12
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
וּרְאֵה֮ and beheld H7200
וּרְאֵה֮ and beheld
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 3 of 12
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְאֵֽין H369
וְאֵֽין
Strong's: H369
Word #: 4 of 12
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
לִ֪י H0
לִ֪י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 12
מַ֫כִּ֥יר but there was no man that would know H5234
מַ֫כִּ֥יר but there was no man that would know
Strong's: H5234
Word #: 6 of 12
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (
אָבַ֣ד failed H6
אָבַ֣ד failed
Strong's: H6
Word #: 7 of 12
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
מָנ֣וֹס me refuge H4498
מָנ֣וֹס me refuge
Strong's: H4498
Word #: 8 of 12
a retreat (literally or figuratively); abstractly, a fleeing
מִמֶּ֑נִּי H4480
מִמֶּ֑נִּי
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 9 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
אֵ֖ין H369
אֵ֖ין
Strong's: H369
Word #: 10 of 12
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
דּוֹרֵ֣שׁ me no man cared H1875
דּוֹרֵ֣שׁ me no man cared
Strong's: H1875
Word #: 11 of 12
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
לְנַפְשִֽׁי׃ for my soul H5315
לְנַפְשִֽׁי׃ for my soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 12 of 12
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Analysis & Commentary

I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. The "right hand" was the position of the defender or advocate in ancient judicial settings (Psalm 109:31, 110:5). David scans for human help and finds none. The verb nakar (נָכַר), "know," means to recognize, acknowledge, or pay regard to—David feels utterly abandoned, not merely alone but actively ignored.

"Refuge failed me" uses manos (מָנוֹס), a place of escape or shelter. Every human refuge has collapsed—no safe haven, no protector, no ally. Yet this statement of complete human destitution sets up the psalm's climax: when all earthly refuge fails, God Himself becomes the refuge (v. 5). The hyperbolic "no man cared for my soul" (nephesh, נֶפֶשׁ) expresses the depth of isolation—no one values his life or seeks his welfare.

This radical aloneness anticipates Christ's greater abandonment. When arrested, "all the disciples forsook him, and fled" (Matthew 26:56). On the cross, He experienced even the Father's forsaking (Matthew 27:46), bearing the ultimate isolation our sin deserves so we need never be truly alone.

Historical Context

During David's fugitive years, many who might have supported him feared Saul's wrath. Even Jonathan, David's closest friend, couldn't always be present (1 Samuel 20). David's mighty men eventually joined him, but Psalm 142 may reflect an earlier period of complete isolation. The cave provided physical protection but also represented social death—cut off from family, tribal support, and covenant community. This context makes David's confidence in God (v. 5) all the more remarkable.

Questions for Reflection