那在洞裡呼求的人（詩142篇）

〔大衛在洞裏作的訓誨詩、乃是祈禱。〕我發聲哀告耶和華．發聲懇求耶和華。我在他面前吐露我的苦情．陳說我的患難。（詩 142：1-2）

誰會躲在洞裡？就是那些遭遇危險、受人欺凌，在眾人眼中毫無還擊能力的弱勢。在洞裡，可以享受暫時的安全，卻不是個永久可以待著的地方。因為洞裡黑暗、潮濕、不舒適，甚至物資缺乏。唯一的好處是：敵人看不見我。除此之外，並不是長久之計。

躲在洞裡，雖可以逃避欺凌，欺凌卻仍然存在，問題並沒有得到解決。躲在洞裡，也隔絕了那些願意愛我們的人，因此無法得到他們的關懷。躲在洞裡的黑暗，加重心中的無助，因看不見光明。洞裡的黑暗，常助長憂鬱的心情，使洞裡的人總是暗自落淚。

從詩篇的本篇可以揣摩那些必須要躲在洞裡的可憐人，或是我們自己本身，也曾經親身經歷過躲在洞裡的日子。就如此處的大衛一樣，在面對一國之君王的追殺下，有誰會願意站在一個無名小卒這邊，為他說話。對方可是一國之君，多數不明究理，喜歡兀自猜測的閒人，總是用外貌、權勢、職位來判斷對錯，這時，可能連昔日的密友、家人都因不明究理，已眾叛親離。

對於躲在洞裡的人，人們應該本著憐憫的心，「進入」他們的洞中，設身處地為他們著想，用神的話加添他們的心力，靠主引導他們走出洞中。身陷洞中的人，當學習大衛尋求神，因為神是不偏待人的神，祂不以貌取人，祂本為善、祂的慈愛永遠長存。正如大衛所說：「我在他面前吐露我的苦情．陳說我的患難。」

大衛也給我們這些、或曾經「在洞裡呼求神」的人做走出洞中的示範。他說：「我的靈在我裏面發昏的時候、你知道我的道路。在我行的路上、敵人為我暗設網羅。（詩 142：3）」這裡也說到最可怕的事，不是敵人明著來的挑戰，而是表面對你好，但是卻私底下「暗設網羅」。

是啊！最難過的事，就是昔日的好友，有一天卻暗箭傷人。我也曾遇到昔日主內的好同工，卻在大會中毫不留情的質詢、污衊。當下，心中很是難受。心想：這些事，你可以私下跟我說或求證，為何要這樣對我？但是神讓我們遭遇這些事，是為了將來能將心比心安慰人。

當一個人，願意出洞，必然是洞外已沒有威脅。而這樣的環境，必然是神的大能所使然。對詩人、對我們而言，能在身邊被義人環繞，是最快樂的事。被義人所環繞，必是神的厚恩。

求你領我出離被囚之地、我好稱讚你的名．義人必環繞我、因為你是用厚恩待我。（詩 142：7）

所以，今日我們或許遭遇一些事，使我們躲入洞中。洞中，雖然孤寂，卻可以安靜與神面對面。另外，對於躲入洞中的人，我們看見了嗎？

義人呼求、耶和華聽見了、便救他們脫離一切患難。耶和華靠近傷心的人、拯救靈性痛悔的人。（詩 34：17-18）

By Isaiah Kao

The One Who Cries Out from the Cave (Psalm 142)

[A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer.]

I cry aloud with my voice to the LORD;

I plead aloud with my voice to the LORD.

I pour out my complaint before Him;

I declare my trouble before Him. (Psalm 142:1–2, NASB 2020)

Who would hide in a cave? It is those who are in danger, those who are bullied, those who appear weak and powerless in the eyes of people, with no ability to fight back. A cave offers temporary safety, but it is not a place meant for long-term dwelling. It is dark, damp, uncomfortable, and often lacking in supplies. Its only advantage is this: the enemy cannot see me. Other than that, it is never a lasting solution.

Hiding in a cave may allow one to escape bullying for a time, but the bullying itself still exists, and the problem remains unresolved. Hiding in a cave also cuts us off from those who are willing to love us, leaving us unable to receive their care. The darkness of the cave deepens inner helplessness, because no light can be seen. The darkness often promotes depression, causing those in the cave to weep in secret.

From this psalm, we can imagine those pitiable people who were forced to hide in caves—or even ourselves, for we may have personally experienced days of hiding in a cave. David was such a man. While being pursued by the king of a nation, who would be willing to stand on the side of an unknown and speak for him? His opponent was the king himself. Most people, not knowing the truth and fond of making their own assumptions, judge right and wrong by appearance, power, and position. In such circumstances, even former close friends or family members may turn away because they do not understand.

Toward those who hide in caves, people ought to act with compassion, "to enter" their caves, to put themselves in their place, to strengthen them with the word of God, and to rely on the Lord to guide them out. Those who are trapped in caves should learn from David to seek God, for God shows no partiality, He does not judge by appearance, He is good, and His lovingkindness endures forever. David said:

“I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him.”

David also gives an example to those of us who are, or once were, people who “cried out to God in a cave.” He said:

“When my spirit felt weak within me, You knew my path.

On the way where I walk

They have hidden a trap for me.” (Psalm 142:3, NASB 2020)

Here we see what is most frightening, not enemies who challenge us openly, but those who appear friendly on the surface, yet secretly “set traps.”

Yes, the most painful thing is when a former close friend suddenly turns to strike you in secret. I myself have experienced this—former co-workers in the Lord who publicly questioned and slandered me without mercy at an assembly. In that moment, my heart was deeply wounded. I thought to myself: these matters could have been discussed or seek proof with me privately—why treat me this way? Yet God allows us to go through such things so that, in the future, we may have a heart to comfort others.

When a person is willing to come out of the cave, it means that the threat outside is no longer present. Such an environment can only be brought about by the mighty power of God. For the psalmist, and for us, to be surrounded by the righteous is the greatest joy. To be encircled by the righteous is truly a rich grace from God.

“Bring my soul out of prison,

So that I may give thanks to Your name;

The righteous will surround me,

For You will look after me.” (Psalm 142:7, NASB 2020)

Therefore, today we may encounter circumstances that drive us into a cave. Though the cave is lonely, it can become a quiet place where we meet God face to face. And as for those who have entered caves—do we see them?

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears

And rescues them from all their troubles.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted

And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:17–18, NASB 2020)

By Isaiah Kao