John Calvin Commentary Psalms 142:4

"Look on [my] right hand, and see; For there is no man that knoweth me: Refuge hath failed me; No man careth for my soul." — Psalms 142:4 (ASV)

On looking to the right hand, etc., He shows that there was good cause for the dreadful sufferings he experienced, since no human aid or comfort was to be expected, and destruction seemed inevitable.

When he speaks of having looked and yet not perceived a friend among men, he does not mean that he had turned his thoughts to earthly helps in forgetfulness of God. Rather, he had made such justifiable inquiry for someone on earth who might assist him.

If any such person had presented himself, he would no doubt have recognized him as an instrument in the hand of God’s mercy. However, it was God’s purpose that he should be deprived of all assistance from man, and that his deliverance from destruction should thus appear more extraordinary.

In the expression, none seeking after my soul, the verb to seek after is used in a good sense, meaning to be solicitous about anyone’s welfare or safety.