King James Version

What Does Psalms 142:7 Mean?

Psalms 142:7 in the King James Version says “Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bount...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 142 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Psalms 142:7 · KJV

Context

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
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. This concluding verse of Psalm 142 moves from present confinement to anticipated deliverance, from individual prayer to corporate worship, from desperate petition to confident expectation of God's bountiful dealing. David expresses both the purpose of deliverance (praise) and its result (restored community).

"Bring my soul out of prison" (הוֹצִיאָה מִמַּסְגֵּר נַפְשִׁי/hotzi'ah mimasgyer nafshi) is urgent petition for deliverance. Yatsa in Hiphil form means to bring out, lead out, deliver. Masgyer means prison, dungeon, place of confinement. Nefesh (soul) represents the whole person—life, being, essential self. David pleads for God to bring his entire being out of confinement into freedom.

The "prison" may be literal (the cave) or metaphorical (circumstances of persecution, internal bondage of overwhelming spirit). Likely both—physical confinement in the cave represented larger spiritual and circumstantial imprisonment under Saul's persecution. Prison represents any circumstance of limitation, bondage, confinement where freedom of movement and life are restricted. David needs God's liberating intervention to escape.

"That I may praise thy name" (לְהוֹדוֹת אֶת־שְׁמֶךָ/lehodot et-shimkha) expresses purpose of deliverance. Yadah means to give thanks, praise, confess. Deliverance isn't for David's comfort or convenience but for God's glory. The purpose of liberation is worship, thanksgiving, testimony to God's character (His name). This reflects biblical understanding that God's ultimate purpose is His own glory, and our deliverance serves to magnify His name through our grateful praise.

"The righteous shall compass me about" (יַכְתִּרוּ עָלַי צַדִּיקִים/yakhtiru alay tzaddikim) anticipates restored community. Kathar means to surround, encircle, crown. Tzaddikim (righteous ones) refers to fellow believers, the community of faith. David envisions being surrounded by the righteous who will join his praise, celebrate his deliverance, and participate in worship. Deliverance isn't merely individual blessing but restoration to worshiping community.

"For thou shalt deal bountifully with me" (כִּי תִגְמֹל עָלָי/ki tigmol alay) expresses confident expectation. Gamal means to deal fully with, recompense, reward, treat generously. This isn't uncertain hope but settled confidence: God WILL deal bountifully. The basis for this confidence isn't David's merit but God's character—His covenant faithfulness, His pattern of delivering His people, His commitment to those who trust Him.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The prison imagery resonates throughout biblical history and David's experience. While likely not literally imprisoned in a dungeon at this point, David's cave confinement functioned as prison—limited freedom, constant danger, isolation from normal life. Later biblical figures faced literal imprisonment: Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 39:20), Jeremiah in a cistern (Jeremiah 38:6), Peter and John (Acts 4:3), Paul frequently (2 Corinthians 11:23).

Yet Scripture consistently presents deliverance from prison as opportunity for testimony and praise. When the angel freed Peter from prison, he went to the praying church (Acts 12:5-17). When earthquake opened prison doors for Paul and Silas, they didn't flee but stayed and led the jailer to Christ (Acts 16:25-34). Prison doesn't silence God's people's witness but amplifies it.

The purpose clause "that I may praise thy name" reflects biblical theology that connects deliverance with doxology. Israel's exodus from Egyptian slavery led to worship at Sinai. Return from Babylonian exile produced renewed temple worship. New Testament salvation results in praise (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14). We're delivered FROM sin and bondage FOR worship and service.

The vision of the righteous surrounding David in celebration anticipates corporate worship as ultimate context for individual testimony. While David prayed individually in the cave, he envisioned deliverance leading to community worship where righteous ones gather to celebrate God's faithfulness together. This reflects biblical understanding that faith is communal, not merely individual. We're saved into a body, delivered into a family, brought into the congregation.

For imprisoned believers throughout history—Roman persecution, medieval dungeons, Communist gulags, contemporary imprisonment for faith—this psalm has sustained hope. Physical prison cannot prevent spiritual freedom. Circumstances of confinement become opportunities for testimony. Individual suffering leads to corporate celebration when God delivers. The prison becomes the testimony.

Reflection Questions

  1. What kinds of 'prisons'—whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or circumstantial—might believers experience, and how does this verse speak to various forms of bondage?
  2. How does understanding that deliverance's purpose is to praise God's name rather than merely personal comfort change our prayers for deliverance?
  3. What is the significance of individual deliverance leading to corporate worship ('the righteous shall compass me about')?
  4. How can believers maintain hope that God 'will deal bountifully' when present circumstances seem hopeless or permanently confining?
  5. In what ways have you experienced God bringing you 'out of prison' (any form of bondage or confinement), and how did this lead to praise and restored community?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
ה֘וֹצִ֤יאָה1 of 12

“Bring”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִמַּסְגֵּ֨ר׀2 of 12

“out of prison”

H4525

a fastener, i.e., (of a person) a smith, (of a thing) a prison

נַפְשִׁי֮3 of 12

“my soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

לְהוֹד֪וֹת4 of 12

“that I may praise”

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

אֶת5 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁ֫מֶ֥ךָ6 of 12

“thy name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

בִּ֭י7 of 12
H0
יַכְתִּ֣רוּ8 of 12

“shall compass me about”

H3803

to enclose; hence (in a friendly sense) to crown, (in a hostile one) to besiege; also to wait (as restraining oneself)

צַדִּיקִ֑ים9 of 12

“the righteous”

H6662

just

כִּ֖י10 of 12
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תִגְמֹ֣ל11 of 12

“for thou shalt deal bountifully”

H1580

to treat a person (well or ill), i.e., benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e., (specifically) to wean

עָלָֽי׃12 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

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 142:7 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 142:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 143:11Psalms 146:7Psalms 7:6-7Psalms 13:6James 5:11Isaiah 61:1

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