King James Version

What Does Psalms 142:5 Mean?

Psalms 142:5 in the King James Version says “I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 142 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.”

Psalms 142:5 · KJV

Context

3

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

4

I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I looked: or, Look on the right hand, and see failed: Heb. perished from me cared: Heb. sought after

5

I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

6

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

7

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

Read Psalms 142 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. After describing his desperate circumstances (v.1-4), David now declares his response—crying to God and affirming two crucial truths about who God is to him: refuge and portion. This represents the turning point from lament to confident trust.

"I cried unto thee, O LORD" (זָעַקְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ יְהוָה/za'aqti eleikha Yahweh) echoes verse 1 but with important difference. Previously David cried "unto the LORD"; now he cries "unto THEE"—more direct, more personal. The shift from third person to second person indicates intensified intimacy. In deepest crisis, relationship with God becomes most personal and direct. This is prayer's progression: from crying about circumstances to addressing God directly.

"I said" (אָמַרְתִּי/amarti) indicates definite declaration. The perfect tense suggests completed action: David has already made this confession, settled this conviction. This isn't wishful hoping but decided declaration of faith. In the cave, surrounded by limitations and threats, David declared definite truth about God's character and relationship to him.

"Thou art my refuge" (אַתָּה מַחְסִי/atah machsi) declares God as shelter, protection, safe place. Machaseh appears frequently in Psalms—God as refuge from danger, storms, enemies (Psalms 46:1, 62:7, 91:2). This isn't requesting that God become refuge but declaring that He already IS refuge. Present circumstances may feel unsafe, but ultimate security rests in God Himself, not in circumstances.

"And my portion" (חֶלְקִי/chelqi) is profound theological claim. Chelek means share, portion, allotment, inheritance. When Israel entered Canaan, each tribe received a land portion except Levi. Numbers 18:20 declares to priests: "Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel." David applies Levitical language to himself—God HIMSELF is his inheritance, his portion, his ultimate possession and security.

"In the land of the living" (בְּאֶרֶץ הַחַיִּים/be'eretz hachayim) specifies temporal scope. This isn't merely hope for afterlife but confidence that God is David's portion NOW, in present life, in the realm of the living. While many psalms express hope for vindication after death, this declares present possession of God as supreme treasure in this life.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The language of God as "portion" draws from Israel's land inheritance theology. When the twelve tribes divided Canaan, each received territorial allotment except Levi. Deuteronomy 10:9 explains: "Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him." While other tribes possessed land, Levites possessed God Himself as their inheritance. They received support through tithes and offerings but owned no land—God was enough.

David, though from Judah not Levi, applies this Levitical language to himself, recognizing that knowing God is greater wealth than possessing land, property, or earthly security. This was particularly significant while hiding in a cave, dispossessed of home, property, security. In poverty and exile, David declared God is his portion—sufficient, satisfying, supreme treasure.

Psalm 73:25-26 expresses similar conviction: "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." Lamentations 3:24, written during Jerusalem's destruction and exile, declares: "The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him."

Jesus taught this principle throughout His ministry. He blessed the poor in spirit and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:3, 6). He warned against storing earthly treasures rather than heavenly (Matthew 6:19-21). He asked: "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36). Paul counted everything loss compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7-8).

For believers throughout history who have lost everything—property confiscated, families destroyed, freedoms removed, lives threatened—this declaration has sustained faith. When everything else is stripped away, God remains sufficient. He is the portion that can never be taken, the treasure that transcends all earthly loss.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean practically that God is your 'portion'—your inheritance, allotment, supreme treasure?
  2. How does declaring God as refuge and portion change perspective during circumstances that feel unsafe or impoverished?
  3. What might believers pursue as 'portion' instead of God—what lesser treasures compete for ultimate allegiance?
  4. How does the Levites' example—possessing God rather than land—challenge contemporary materialistic values?
  5. What would it look like in practical daily life to live as if God truly is your sufficient portion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
זָעַ֥קְתִּי1 of 9

“I cried”

H2199

to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly

אֵלֶ֗יךָ2 of 9
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְה֫וָ֥ה3 of 9

“unto thee O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אָ֭מַרְתִּי4 of 9

“I said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַתָּ֣ה5 of 9
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

מַחְסִ֑י6 of 9

“Thou art my refuge”

H4268

a shelter (literally or figuratively)

חֶ֝לְקִ֗י7 of 9

“and my portion”

H2506

properly, smoothness (of the tongue)

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ8 of 9

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַֽחַיִּים׃9 of 9

“of the living”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 142:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 142:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Timothy 4:17Psalms 27:13Psalms 16:5John 16:32Psalms 91:9-10Psalms 91:2

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 142 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 142 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes