Bible Commentaries
Psalms 13

Verses 1-6

David may well apply as a type, so far as his experience during the persecution by Saul is concerned, to the believing sufferer and Christian martyr of every age. To the chief musician, to be used in the Temple services, a psalm of David.

v. 1. How long wilt Thou forget me, O Lord? Forever? It seemed to David, in the anguish of his spirit during the long period when he was hunted almost like a wild beast, that the Lord had entirely forsaken him. How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me? as though He abandoned him to the fate which was staring him in the face.

v. 2. How long shall I take counsel in my soul, being filled with worry and distress over the apparent neglect of Jehovah, having sorrow in my heart daily? There was no intermission in his troubles; all the counsels which his heart thought of brought no relief. How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? having the upper hand, continuing his tactics of oppression.

v. 3. Consider and hear me, O Lord, my God, paying attention to his plight, giving him an answer upon his appeal; lighten mine eyes, making them clear, giving them new vitality and cheerfulness in view of the coming deliverance, lest I sleep the sleep of death, falling asleep, never to awake again,

v. 4. lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him, and therefore also against the Lord in whom David trusted; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved, having lost the firmness of his faith, deceived in his trust, overcome by their wicked schemes. During his prayer the faith of David has grown and has been invested with new strength, causing his humble cry to be changed into a song of praise.

v. 5. But I have trusted in Thy mercy, with the firm confidence in his final salvation; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation, by which he would be delivered both physically and spiritually.

v. 6. I will sing unto the Lord because He hath dealt bountifully with me, rewarding him richly in compensation for his season of trouble. That is David's firm confidence. Thus the heart of every believer, in the midst of the storms of life, experiences the wonderful peace of God which passes all understanding, which causes him to trust in his heavenly Father's mercy, no matter what may befall him.