Psalm 142-144

August 20th, 2025, Angie McCoy

Scripture:

Psalm 142

You Are My Refuge

1 With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.

2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.

3 When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.

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.

5 I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. ”

6 Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me!

7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.

Psalm 143

My Soul Thirsts for You

1. Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

2. Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.

3. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.

4. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.

5. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

6. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

7. Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those

who go down to the pit.

8. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

9. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge.

10. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

11. For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!

12. And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the

adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.

Psalm 144

My Rock and My Fortress

1. Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;

2. he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

3. O Lord, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?

4. Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.

5. Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down! Touch the mountains so that they smoke!

6. Flash forth the lightning and scatter them; send out your arrows and rout them!

7. Stretch out your hand from on high; rescue me and deliver me from the many waters, from the hand of foreigners,

8. whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

9. I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,

10. who gives victory to kings, who rescues David his servant from the cruel sword.

11. Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouths speak lies and

whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

12. May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace;

13. may our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth

thousands and ten thousands in our fields;

14. may our cattle be heavy with young, suffering no mishap or failure in bearing; may there be no cry of distress in our streets!

15. Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!

Theme of Psalms 142–144:

These psalms express honest cries for help, trust in God’s protection, and praise for His

strength and deliverance. They show the believer’s dependence on God in times of

trouble and celebrate His power to rescue and sustain.

Application:

When facing difficult times, bring your struggles honestly to God in prayer. Trust that He

hears you and will protect and strengthen you. Remember to praise Him for His

faithfulness and rely on His power to overcome challenges.

Prayer:

God,

You’re our refuge and strength in tough times.

Hear our prayers and guide our steps.

Help us live wisely and trust in Your care.

Thank You for always being with us.

Amen.