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Psalm 142:2
I pour out my complaint before him. I tell him my troubles.
1A contemplation by David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer. I cry with my voice to the LORD. With my voice, I ask the LORD for mercy.
2I pour out my complaint before him. I tell him my troubles.
3When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, you knew my route. On the path in which I walk, they have hidden a snare for me.
4Look on my right, and see; for there is no one who is concerned for me. Refuge has fled from me. No one cares for my soul.
Notice
Complaint appears here as something spoken before God, which may challenge the thought that prayer needs to sound calm or grateful.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What complaint would you put into words before God today?
Write on thisWhat does “pour out” suggest about how David tells God his troubles?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 62:8Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Selah.Both describe pouring out what is within before God; Psalm 62 joins that act to trust in him as refuge.
Lamentations 2:19Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches! Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift up your hands toward him for the …Both describe pouring out distress before the Lord, with Lamentations directing that cry toward the lives of hungry children.
Romans 8:26In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with …David tells God his troubles; Romans describes the Spirit’s help when weakness leaves people unsure how to pray.
Isaiah 26:16LORD, in trouble they have visited you. They poured out a prayer when your chastening was on them.Both describe trouble being brought to God through prayer, using the language of pouring out.
Philippians 4:6–7In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.Both speak of making troubles or requests known to God; Philippians includes thanksgiving in that prayer.
Hebrews 5:7He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been …Both portray prayer in distress, with David voicing complaint and Hebrews describing petitions offered with crying and tears.
Psalm 102:1–28A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, LORD! Let my cry come to you.Both describe pouring out a complaint before the Lord, giving distress a direct address in prayer.
Psalm 18:4–6The cords of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.Their shared ground is distress: David tells God his troubles, and Psalm 18 describes surrounding danger and fear.
1 Samuel 1:15–16Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have not been drinking wine or strong drink, but I poured out my soul before the LORD.David pours out his complaint before God, and Hannah describes pouring out her soul before the Lord in sorrow.
Job 16:20My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,Both direct distress toward God through pouring out: David speaks his complaint, and Job’s eyes pour out tears.
Psalm 42:4These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I used to go with the crowd, and led them to God’s house, with the voice of joy and praise, a …Both use the language of pouring out, though Psalm 42 turns toward memories of worship with a crowd.
2 Chronicles 9:1When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great caravan, including camels …The shared thread is speaking what is within: David addresses God with troubles, while the queen speaks her heart to Solomon.
Where this verse fits
Loneliness. anxiety or panic. wanting a steady prayer habit.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
You do not have to hide trouble to speak to God. David brings his complaint before the Lord while danger and isolation remain.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).