Psalm 142THE LONESOME VALLEY He rode easy in the saddle, he was tall and leanAnd at first you thought nothing but a streak of meanCould make any man look so down right strongBut one look in his eyes and you knowed you was wrong He was a mountain of a man, and I want you to knowHe could preach hot hell or freezin' snowHe carried a Bible in a canvas sackAnd folks just called him the Reverend Mr. Black He was poor as a beggar But he rode like a kingSometimes in the evenin' I could hear him sing I gotta walk that lonesome valleyI got to walk it by myselfAin't, nobody else can walk it for meI got to walk it by myselfYou got to walk that lonesome valleyYou got to walk it by yourselfOh, nobody else can walk it for youYou got to walk it by yourself If ever I could have thought this man in blackWas soft and had any yellow up his backI gave that notion up one dayA lumberjack came in and it wasn't to pray Yeah, he kicked open the meeting house doorAnd he cussed everybody up and down the floorThen, when things got quiet in the placeHe walked up and cussed in the preacher's faceHe hit that reverend like the kick of a muleAnd to my way of thinkin' it took one pure foolTo turn the other cheek to that lumberjackBut that's what he did, The Reverend Mr. Black He stood like a rock, a man among menThen he let that lumberjack hit him againAnd then with a voice as kind as could beHe cut him down like a big oak tree when he said I gotta walk that lonesome valleyI got to walk it by myselfAin't, nobody else can walk it for meI got to walk it by myselfYou got to walk that lonesome valleyYou got to walk it by yourselfOh, nobody else can walk it for youYou got to walk it by yourself It's been many years since we had to partAnd I guess I learned his ways by heartCause I can still hear his sermon's ringDown in the valley where he used to sing I followed him, yes siree, and I don't regret itI hope I will always be a creditTo his memory 'cause I want you to understandThe Reverend Mr. Black was my old man I gotta walk that lonesome valleyI got to walk it by myselfAin't, nobody else can walk it for meI got to walk it by myselfYou got to walk that lonesome valleyYou got to walk it by yourselfOh, nobody else can walk it for youYou got to walk it by yourselfTHE REVEREND MR. BLACK(Billy Edd Wheeler / Jed Peters)
This song written by Billy Edd Wheeler and Jed Peters (no relation) is a reminder that all of us are going to face our “Lonesome Valleys”. There will be times of deep distress when we are standing alone. For those times of loneliness and frustration there is a wonderful Psalm of David which we have already read, Psalm 142.
David was in a “lonesome valley” when he wrote this Psalm. Only, his “lonesome valley” was actually a cave where he was evidently very alone.
We are given some interesting information about the Psalm from the heading.
A Maschil was perhaps a Psalm of instruction. This Psalm gives instruction to all Christians who feel like they are “up against it” or having an extremely difficult time.
The author is David. You know who David was.
· He was the young teenager who stood up to the Giant Goliath when the whole army of Israel was fleeing from him. His words before slaying Goliath with a stone from his slingshot were classic:
1 Samuel 17:45-46 - Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. [46] This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
· Because of this victory David became a national hero. He was then a public figure that didn’t let his popularity go to his head.
1 Samuel 18:14 - And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him.
· There was a problem, however. The current king, Saul, had disqualified himself as king, and God told him that he and his family would be replaced. When David emerged it became obvious to Saul who that next king would be. Saul eventually became David’s enemy.
· Saul tried to kill David on several occasions.
· David had an enemy that he didn’t want. David did not try to hurt Saul in return. He waited for God to deal with Saul in God’s time.
· David did eventually become king.
Now back to our heading. This Psalm is a prayer written in a cave.
David had to flee from Saul. He became a refugee and often hid in caves. Saul was out to get him, so he hid.
I think it most likely that the cave referred to in this Psalm is the cave Adullam.
1 Samuel 22:1-2 - David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. [2] And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
It seems that David was alone when he wrote this Psalm.
I believe it was written before his family and friends showed up.
David was alone.
David was discouraged.
David was a hunted man.
David was in a lonesome valley.
This prayer is one that might encourage you when you feel like you are in a “lonesome valley”.
DAVID’S APPROACH – Vss. 1-2
David knew who to approach in that lonesome valley. He sets the example for us. He comes to God. Let us remember that this is exactly where God wants us when we hurt. He wants us before His throne. It is a throne of grace!
Hebrews 4:15-16 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Vs. 1 – David was not silent in his lonesome valley. His prayer was a prayer that was made out loud. It was a burdened prayer that unloaded everything on God.
Most of our prayers are silent prayers when we are alone.
However, it is alright to pray aloud when we are alone.
Praying out loud sometimes helps us concentrate better.
Praying out loud is a logical thing to do when we are overwhelmed with concern or grief.
The type of prayer is a passionate prayer.
Your prayers to God need not be eloquent, but they should have some level of passion.
Psalm 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Vs. 2 – David poured out his complaint. He was not complaining about God. He was expressing to God his concerns. He spelled out his trouble to God.
If God is all knowing, omniscient, why should David or us tell God what the problem is?
Bringing the problem to God is an act of faith. God wants us to trust Him.
Another reason for pouring out your complaint before God is that He cares.
1 Peter 5:7 - Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Does Jesus care when my heart
is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?
Does Jesus care when my way
is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?
Does Jesus care when I’ve
tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?
Does Jesus care when I’ve
said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
Oh yes, He cares, I know He
cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares. Frank
E. Graeff, 1901
DAVID’S APPROACH
DAVID’S AGONY – Vss. 3-4
Vs. 3 – David’s spirit was overwhelmed. His problems and sorrow were so great that he almost didn’t know where to turn. You’ve probably been in that position.
David’s enemies, particularly Saul, were setting secret traps for him.
We are familiar with that kind of warfare from Viet Nam, Israel, and Iraq. Most recently car bombs and other devices are set off by the enemy at any time. Traps are set and the targets of the traps have no idea where they are and when they will go off.
Satan works this way as well. That is why we sometimes get broadsided with problems and sin. Satan sets a trap when we least expect it.
Vs. 4 – If you are right handed, you want your tools at your right hand. You want your friends handy to help you as well. Perhaps this is why we have the phrase “Right hand man”.
David looked for help, and at that moment in time there was nobody there. There was no help available.
Eventually the help would come, but for the moment he was on his own.
But was he really alone?
The answer, of course, is no!
Even in this agony, David was not alone!
when my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path…
From human eyes 'tis better to conceal
Much that I suffer, much I hourly feel;
But, oh, this thought can tranquillize and heal,
All, all is known to thee.
Nay, all by thee is ordered, chosen, planned,
Each drop that fills my daily cup, thy hand
Prescribes for ills, none else can understand,
All, all is known to thee.—Charlotte Elliott.
DAVID’S APPROACH
DAVID’S AGONY
DAVID’S ASSISTANCE – Vss. 5-6
Vs. 5 – There are two good reasons why David cried out to God here.
God was David’s refuge. He could always come to God for protection and help. God is always available to His children in times of deepest distress.
Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
God is also our refuge from our biggest problem, punishment for sin.
It is God the Son who died on the cross, was buried and rose again.
It is God the Son who is our refuge from judgment when we put our trust in Him.
Have you taken your refuge in Christ?
John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
God is not only our refuge, but our portion.
According to H. C. Leupold, “The term ‘portion’ always implies one’s highest good or prized position.” H. C. Leupold, Exposition of the Psalms (Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House, 1969) p. 961
God was David’s most prized position. God was more important than anything and anybody. Is that true of you?
If He is your portion, God will take care of you.
Lamentations 3:24 - The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Notice in this verse that the Lord is our refuge and portion in the “Land of the living.” Christianity is not just for when I die. God is our refuge and portion for all eternity.
But God is to be my refuge now while I’m living.
God is to be my portion, my prized possession now while I’m living.
Vs. 6 – I love David’s honesty. He needed God’s help, God’s assistance, and he admitted it. He generally wasn’t one of these people who tried to solve His own problems. He relied on God.
He was “brought very low” by his persecutors.
He sought God’s assistance because he realized that his persecutors were stronger than he was.
You will find very often that your persecutors are stronger than you are. Your ultimate persecutor, Satan is. That’s why you need God’s help.
1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
DAVID’S APPROACH
DAVID’S AGONY
DAVID’S ASSISTANCE – Vss. 5-6
DAVID’S ASSURANCE – Vs. 7
Vs. 7 – I wouldn’t take the word “prison” literally here.
We have all sorts of problems that are “prisons”.
Usually when we want to be delivered by God from our prisons we are looking for an easier life for ourselves.
However David had a different motive.
If God delivered David from prison, David would be able to give God the glory for it! He would be able to give the praise to God for it. God would be glorified.
Instead of asking God to deliver us from prison so we’d have an easier time of it, let us ask God to deliver us from prison so that he would be glorified!
And when we are delivered from prison it will be the righteous who are there for us.
I love the last phrase of this Psalm, for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
David was confident that God would deal bountifully with Him.
When someone does something bountifully, it is generous, it is gracious, and it is more than we need.
When God deals bountifully with us, He is generous, He is gracious, and He gives us more than we need.
Psalm 73:23-26 sums it up nicely - Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. [24] Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. [25] Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. [26] My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Are you in a “lonesome valley”?
Learn from David and be comforted.
If you are not in a lonesome valley, you will be.
Learn from David so you will be prepared when that valley comes!
DAVID’S APPROACH
DAVID’S AGONY
DAVID’S ASSISTANCE
DAVID’S ASSURANCE