Изъяснение псалма 142-го.

“A Psalm to David, when Absalom his son persecuted him.” In some lists I found these words: “when Absalom his son persecuted him”; I have not found this addition in the Hebrew text or in other translators. But it is close to the truth; because the psalm has exactly the same content. Ps.142:1. God! Hear my prayer, heed my prayer according to Thy truth; hear me according to Your righteousness “Lord, hear my prayer, inspire my prayer in Thy truth, hear me in Thy righteousness.” It is true that the divine David, as punishment for some of his sins, fell into these disasters, but the parricide Absalom, who desired the death of his parent, is unrighteous, lawless and wicked. Therefore, blessed David begs God to hear his prayer “in truth and in righteousness.” Ps.142:2. And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for not one living will be justified before You. “And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no one living will be justified before You”; that is, in truth and truth, I begged You, says the Prophet, to heed my words, not relying on my own truth, but knowing the iniquity of my enemies. For I know that no one can come out of Your judgment seat innocent. If the rule of the laws established by You is applied to human life; no one will be found to live according to it. And if you offer Your good deeds on Wednesday, all the good things that You gave to people; then what kind of human truth can compare with Your gifts? Ps.142:3. The enemy pursues my soul, trampled my life into the ground, forced me to live in darkness, like those long dead. “For the enemy has driven away my soul: he has humbled my belly to eat in the ground.” Therefore, I beg you to make Me worthy of Your truth and righteousness, not when You judge me, but when You condemn me and my enemies; because they deposed me from the royal throne, expelled from my fatherland. History also testifies to this humiliation; because David “walked with bare feet, covering his head, and weeping” (2 Sam. 15:30). “He made me sit in dark, like dead centuries.” Exiled and forced to spend time in deserted places, I am no different from a dead man imprisoned in darkness. Ps.142:4. And my spirit became sad within me, my heart became numb within me. “And my spirit is sad for me.” Therefore, I am filled with great sadness and sorrow. The Prophet here calls the soul “spirit.” “My heart is troubled within me,” that is, all my thoughts are filled with confusion and storm. Ps.142:5. I remember the days of old, I meditate on all Your works, I reason about the works of Your hands. “I have remembered the days of old, I have learned in all Your works, I have learned Your hand in all creation.” I brought to myself the thought, says the Prophet, from how many disasters You delivered our ancestors, and did not allow them to fall into the hands of their enemies; I remembered what happened with Abraham, with Isaac, with Jacob, with Joseph, with Moses, and found consolation for myself in this. Ps.142:6. I stretch out my hands to You; my soul is drawn to You, like a thirsty land. “My hands have lifted up to You”; that is, he prayed with all zeal. “My soul is like a waterless land for You.” I thirst for Your help, like a waterless land awaits rain. Ps.142:7. 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. “Soon hear me, Lord, my spirit has disappeared.” The Prophet expressed the excessiveness of sadness; because it is common for those who are extremely grieving to experience this suffering. “Do not turn Your face away from Me, and I will become like those who go down into the pit.” If you abhor my prayer because of sin; then I will immediately be put to death. The Prophet allegorically called death a “ditch.” Just as it is impossible for a prisoner in a ditch to come out without help, so it is not possible for a dead person to return to life unless this pleases God. Ps.143:8. 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. “I hear Thy mercy upon me in the morning, for I trust in Thy.” Show me Your love for mankind, says the Prophet, and let me not be deceived in my hope. By the word “morning” he means here: soon. “Tell me, O Lord, the way, and I will go to it, for I have taken my soul to You.” Be my leader, says the Prophet, and show me the right path; for, having renounced my soul from everything human, I present it to You, Master. Ps.142:9. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I come running to You. “Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, I have fled to You.” Fleeing from enemies, I have refuge in You, and I pray to deliver me from their wiles. Ps.142:10. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; May Your good Spirit lead me to the land of righteousness. “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.” I also ask that I not only know what pleases You, but also do what pleases You. For I know that You are my God and Master. “Your good Spirit will guide me to the right land.” And from here we recognize the dignity of the Spirit. Just as God is good, so the Spirit is called good. Just as the Prophet begs God to be his leader, so he prays to take advantage of the guidance of the Spirit, and not to find anything difficult or inconvenient for himself, but to follow the straight, smooth and steady path. Ps.143:11. 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, live for me.” You made me king; according to Your decree, I am anointed to the kingdom; and I am afraid that when I am despised by You, I will become guilty of blaspheming Your name. Therefore, do not look at my dignity, but grant me salvation, so that Your name may be blessed. “Through Your righteousness you will bring my soul out of sorrow.” Having judged me with my enemies, you will justly deliver me from the disasters that have befallen me. Ps.142:12. And by Your mercy destroy my enemies and destroy all who oppress my soul, for I am Your servant. “And by Thy mercy consume my enemies, and destroy all my cold souls: for I am Thy servant.” The Prophet said this in the one hundred and thirty-fifth psalm: “He who smote Egypt from its firstborn, for His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 135:10). And here he says: “Thy mercy has been consumed by my enemies”; because mercy to the offended causes death to the offender. Likewise, a skilled farmer pulls up thorns by the roots, irrigates and cultivates his plantings. You might be interested in: