I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

PSALMS 142:2KJV
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Psalms 142:2 (KJV)

What does Psalms 142:2 mean?

Psalms 142:2 describes the psalmist openly telling God about his struggles and distress, not holding anything back. The verse shows a person honestly sharing his troubles with God, treating God as someone who listens and cares about his pain.

In this psalm, David is speaking while he is in a cave, hiding from those who want to harm him. He is alone and desperate, so he pours out his feelings to God, describing his situation as a “complaint” and “trouble.” The verse captures a moment of deep honesty, where David is not afraid to be vulnerable before God.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 142:2

  • The word “out” comes from שָׁפַךְ (shafakh), which means to pour out, like emptying a vessel. This shows David is not holding anything back—he is completely open with God.
  • “Complaint” is שִׂיחַ (siakh), which often means a troubled thought or concern, not just a grumble. David is sharing his deep worries, not just venting.
  • “Before” is פָּנִים (panim), meaning “face” or “presence.” David is bringing his troubles directly into God’s presence, not just speaking into the air.
  • “Shewed” is נָגַד (nagad), meaning to declare or make known. David is making sure God knows exactly what he is facing.
  • “Trouble” is צָרָה (tsarah), which means distress or tightness, describing a situation that feels like being squeezed or trapped.

Why Psalms 142:2 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that prayer must always be formal or polished; David’s example shows that God welcomes raw honesty.
  • The verse emphasizes that God is not distant—David believes God is close enough to hear and care about his personal pain.
  • Understanding the context of David hiding in a cave helps readers see that the psalm is about real-life desperation, not just poetic language.

Where else these words appear

“complaint” Hebrew H7879 · used in 14 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
  • Job 9:27 If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:
  • Psalms 55:2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

“trouble” Hebrew H6869 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
  • Psalms 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;
  • Isaiah 8:22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

“out” Hebrew H8210 · used in 111 verses

  • Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
  • Job 30:16 And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
  • Ezekiel 16:36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;