What Does Psalm 142:5 Mean in the King James?
I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The LORD is not only the place the speaker runs to; he is also the share the speaker has while still living.
THE MEANING
Your cry can name the LORD as refuge while you remain in the land of the living. He is also your portion there: shelter and belonging are present realities in your life now.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that belonging begins only after trouble is over: the verse names the LORD as the speaker’s portion even while the cry is being spoken.
THE ROOT
חֶלְקִי
ḥelqî
GROWS FROM
חלק
ḥ-l-q
To divide, apportion, or share out.
A portion is a share marked out from a whole. Calling the LORD “my portion” names him as the speaker’s own share in present life, not only as protection from trouble.
ALSO GROWS
ḥālaq: To divide or apportion.
חָלַק
This verb is the root-action behind a portion: a share is marked out from a whole.
ḥelqāh: A parcel or plot of land.
חֶלְקָה
A parcel is a concrete, bounded share of ground, giving “portion” the sense of an allotted place rather than a vague reward.
מַחְסִי
maḥsî
GROWS FROM
חסה
ḥ-s-h
To seek refuge or take shelter.
The word for refuge belongs to a root that can describe seeking shelter. The verse holds the shelter and the act of turning toward it together: the LORD is named as the refuge the speaker seeks.
ALSO GROWS
ḥāsâ: To seek refuge or take shelter.
חָסָה
This verb gives the movement implicit in calling the LORD a refuge: seeking shelter under protection.
maḥseh: A shelter or refuge.
מַחְסֶה
This related noun makes the root’s sheltering sense concrete, illuminating the refuge named in the verse.
THE PATTERN
The LORD is named as a present refuge and allotted share within the life of the living.
The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:THE THREAD
The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.Psalm 16:5 uses the same Hebrew word חֵלֶק (ḥēleq, portion or share), calling the LORD the speaker’s inheritance and cup. That parallel opens “portion” here as present belonging alongside refuge.
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