From the Depths of Misery to the Heights of Bounty in Psalm 142

There’s an old saying, “Misery loves company.” I always saw that adage as a cynical categorization of negative people. However, I think there may be an element to this old maxim I have misunderstood. Real pain needs real understanding. Not platitudes. Real understanding often comes from others who have experienced real pain, too. Someone experiencing real misery loves the company of someone who has experienced misery. There’s a need to be understood. Heard. Acknowledged.

“With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.” Psalm 142:1

David, I have learned, is my friend. I have loved his company.

David understands misery, and the lament he voices invites us into his company. His complaint, or misery, is refreshing in its authenticity. If you’ve experienced pain, join David in turning to God and lifting your voice to cry unto him. Kneel next to David and plead for mercy.

Lament is truly liberating.

“I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.” Psalm 142:2-4

With great temperance, step into the water of complaint. Contend with God about the very pains he sent Jesus to overwhelm. Trouble is in the world because of brokenness. You’re on solid ground to pour out complaint before God. It is entirely appropriate to tell him of the trouble you face.

Again, with temperance and respectful restraint, turn to God and lay out your complaint. David exclaims that even when he is faltering, God knows his way. God sees the path and knows of the pitfalls he faces. David claims to live where no one notices him or cares for him. Grief can feel like abandonment. There seems to be no refuge—at least here on earth.

If you’re facing loss, you fully understand David’s perspective. However, don’t stop there. Lament moves from complaint to request and trust.

“I cry to you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.’ Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me!” Psalm 142:5-6

I was warned early on in my journey of loss to be careful of pathological grief. The warning is to be careful not to become dependent on grief. Another way to say it is to be intentional about moving through grief. Don’t get stuck. “Misery loves company” must move forward to “Healing people heal people.”

So, David cries out that even though he has no refuge, he has God as a refuge by faith. God is his portion. While he is humiliated by persecutors, he turns to God for protection. In this world, we are no match for brokenness. It is too strong for us. And yet, we are made strong because we are weak (2 Corinthians 12:10). We have a refuge.

We are in the world, but we are not of the world. “Misery loves company” carries a strong message for us. Captive people need redemption. A beggar is wise to recognize his hunger and listen to other beggars who have found bread. You must acknowledge you are captive, or miserable, before you can be sprung from prison. David pleads with God to rescue him so that he may give thanks to his name.

In Jesus, prisoners are delivered from their captors and delivered into the congregation where they will enjoy bounty and abundant life. Herein is good news. In Christ, the depths of our misery will become the heights of his bounty.

“Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.” Psalm 142:7