Psalms 142:6

Authorized King James Version

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Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

Original Language Analysis

הַקְשִׁ֤יבָה׀ Attend H7181
הַקְשִׁ֤יבָה׀ Attend
Strong's: H7181
Word #: 1 of 11
to prick up the ears, i.e., hearken
אֶֽל H413
אֶֽל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 2 of 11
near, with or among; often in general, to
רִנָּתִי֮ unto my cry H7440
רִנָּתִי֮ unto my cry
Strong's: H7440
Word #: 3 of 11
properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e., shout (of joy or grief)
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 4 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
דַלּ֪וֹתִ֫י for I am brought H1809
דַלּ֪וֹתִ֫י for I am brought
Strong's: H1809
Word #: 5 of 11
to slacken or be feeble; figuratively, to be oppressed
מְאֹ֥ד very H3966
מְאֹ֥ד very
Strong's: H3966
Word #: 6 of 11
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
הַצִּילֵ֥נִי deliver H5337
הַצִּילֵ֥נִי deliver
Strong's: H5337
Word #: 7 of 11
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
מֵרֹדְפַ֑י me from my persecutors H7291
מֵרֹדְפַ֑י me from my persecutors
Strong's: H7291
Word #: 8 of 11
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
כִּ֖י H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 9 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אָמְצ֣וּ for they are stronger H553
אָמְצ֣וּ for they are stronger
Strong's: H553
Word #: 10 of 11
to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)
מִמֶּֽנִּי׃ H4480
מִמֶּֽנִּי׃
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 11 of 11
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

Analysis & Commentary

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. The imperative haqshivah (הַקְשִׁיבָה), "attend," is an urgent plea for God's attention—literally "prick up your ears." David needs immediate divine intervention, not eventual relief. His "cry" (rinnah, רִנָּה) can mean joyful singing but here denotes an urgent shout for help, showing how the same voice that praises must also plead.

"I am brought very low" translates dallothi me'od (דַּלּוֹתִי מְאֹד)—David is utterly weakened, impoverished, reduced to nothing. The verb dalal means to be thin, weak, or brought low. Combined with me'od (exceedingly), this expresses extremity. Yet in this weakness, David turns to God rather than despair. Paul's thorn taught him the same truth: "when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

"They are stronger than I" acknowledges realistic assessment of the threat. David doesn't pretend courage he doesn't feel or strength he doesn't possess. Instead, he appeals to God's strength to overcome superior human force. This models spiritual warfare: our enemies (sin, Satan, death) are stronger than us, but not stronger than God. Victory comes through dependence, not self-sufficiency.

Historical Context

Saul commanded Israel's army and had resources David lacked as a fugitive. The power differential was vast—king versus outlaw, army versus small band, established authority versus disenfranchised rebel. Yet this psalm demonstrates that earthly power hierarchies mean nothing when God intervenes. Israel's history repeatedly showed God delivering the weak from the strong (Gideon, David vs. Goliath, etc.), teaching that divine favor matters more than human advantage. This theme culminates in Christ's kingdom—advanced not by political power but through weakness, suffering, and the cross.

Questions for Reflection