no one attends to me.
This phrase underscores the psalmist's sense of abandonment and neglect. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, community and kinship were vital for survival and support. The lack of attention from others would have been a profound source of distress. This feeling of being forsaken is mirrored in the experiences of many biblical figures, such as Job (Job 19:14) and even Jesus, who cried out on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). It reflects the human condition of loneliness and the need for divine intervention.

There is no refuge for me;
The concept of refuge is significant throughout the Psalms, often symbolizing God's protection and safety (Psalm 46:1). The psalmist's lament that there is "no refuge" indicates a lack of physical and spiritual sanctuary. In biblical times, cities of refuge provided safety for those in danger (Numbers 35:11-15), but here, the psalmist finds no such place. This absence of refuge points to a deeper spiritual truth that ultimate safety and rest are found in God alone, a theme fulfilled in Christ, who offers Himself as a refuge for sinners (Hebrews 6:18).

no one cares for my soul.
The soul, or "nephesh" in Hebrew, represents the entirety of a person's being. The psalmist's statement that no one cares for his soul highlights a profound sense of neglect and spiritual desolation. In the biblical narrative, God is portrayed as the ultimate caretaker of the soul, as seen in Psalm 23:3, where He restores the soul. This phrase also foreshadows the ministry of Jesus, who came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and who cares deeply for the souls of humanity, offering rest and salvation (Matthew 11:28-29).

David is in the cave (1 Samuel 22:1), literally turning his head toward the spot where a friend or bodyguard would normally stand.

• In Scripture the “right hand” is the place of protection and strength (Psalm 16:8: “Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken”).

• Yet David sees only emptiness, underscoring how completely alone he feels at this moment.

• Even so, the Lord will later fill that vacant place (Psalm 109:31), reminding us that apparent isolation is never the final word for God’s people.

The king‐in‐waiting discovers that people who once crowded around him have melted away.

• Paul experienced the same desertion: “At my first defense, no one came to my support” (2 Timothy 4:16).

• Job lamented, “My relatives have failed me… my close friends have forgotten me” (Job 19:14).

• These echoes assure believers that seasons of abandonment are neither strange nor permanent; God records them so we recognize His knowledge of every tear (Psalm 56:8).

Hiding in a literal shelter, David still feels exposed.

• He voices the opposite of Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength.” The contrast is intentional—his emotions insist there is no shelter, even while faith will soon assert that God Himself is the ultimate safe place (Psalm 142:5).

• Elijah shared this tension when he fled to the cave on Horeb (1 Kings 19:9–10); the surroundings offered cover, but only the Lord’s voice brought true security.

• The verse invites readers to admit their own fears honestly, knowing that confession precedes the comfort God delights to give.

This is deeper than physical rescue; David aches for someone who values his very life.

• Jesus contrasts the hired hand, “who does not care about the sheep” (John 10:13), with Himself, the Good Shepherd who lays down His life.

• Because “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7) is true, David’s statement is ultimately a felt experience, not an eternal reality.

• The Lord will soon answer with fellowship, beginning with the prophet Gad and the priest Abiathar (1 Samuel 22:5, 20), foreshadowing the companionship Christ provides every believer through His Spirit and His people.

Psalm 142:4 captures a painfully honest snapshot: David scans for human help, finds none, and feels utterly uncared for. Scripture validates those emotions while also pointing beyond them. The right hand will not stay empty; attention, refuge, and soul‐deep care are secured in the Lord Himself. When circumstances echo David’s words, believers can voice the same lament—then cling to the greater biblical chorus that God is near, attentive, and unfailingly protective.

"On the path by which I must walk they have laid a trap for me;

Look to the right and see,

Not a friend is in sight.

Failed has refuge from me,

There is none who careth for my soul."

To the "right," because according to the regular Hebrew metaphor it was on the "right hand" that the protector would stand. (See Note Psalm 16:8, &c; and comp. Psalm 109:6; Psalm 109:31; Psalm 110:5; Psalm 121:5.) . . .