1. Psalm 142:1 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does it mean that the Psalm is a Maskil of David?

Psalm 142:1 (ESV)

1 With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.

The word “maskil” means instruction. This song teaches us about living in the covenant with God. It teaches us how to pray when we feel as lonely and deserted as David did. Sometimes we do not have the words to pray. We know that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses (see Romans 8:26–28). The Spirit intercedes for us and he also gives us the words from the Bible to pray, like the Psalms.