Thy Strong Word - Psalm 142: Keep praying saints: I cry to the LORD and He is our refuge.

Rev. John Shank of Trinity Lutheran Church, Edwardsville, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 142.

David was hidden in a cave and his spirit was faint. He prays out with complaints, trouble, and cries knowing full well that the LORD was his refuge, the One who delivers from prison, and God who is our portion in this world. We live in the reality that we believe, yet, we still struggle. The LORD gives us words to remember that in our loneliness and times of being fainthearted, He has not left us and He will deliver us. “LORD God, we cry to You and ask for mercy. You are our refuge will deliver me, and even though I am faint in heart and faith, fill us with Your Holy Spirit for You will deal bountifully with me. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

Psalm 142

You Are My Refuge

A Maskil^[a] of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer.

142 With my voice I cry out to the Lord;
with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.
²I pour out my complaint before him;
I tell my trouble before him.

³When my spirit faints within me,
    you know my way!
In the path where I walk
    they have hidden a trap for me.
⁴Look to the right and see:
    there is none who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
    no one cares for my soul.

⁵I cry to you, O Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,
    my portion in the land of the living.”
⁶Attend to my cry,
    for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
    for they are too strong for me!
⁷Bring me out of prison,
    that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me,
    for you will deal bountifully with me.

Footnotes

Psalm 142:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org

Rev. Brady Finnern

Rev. Brady Finnern, host of Thy Strong Word. is an expert in all things Minnesota, including hiking the great mountains of the 5th flattest state in the Union and making his own maple syrup. Although chow mein, fried ice cream, and Peanut Persian donuts with maple frosting are at the top of his foodie list, his prized possessions include his gas station refillable fountain soda cup (which, he says, the savings will pay for college for his 4 kids). Pastor Finnern's Divine Call is as President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and in addition he also enjoys traveling, coaching track, and movie nights with his wife and kids that may or may not include Shawshank Redemption or any of the Thriller movies. When he's not singing his favorite hymns or listening to his favorite metal music, you might find him working out or taking naps. (Probably naps.)