Psalms 13

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 13

1¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

2How long shall I take counsel in my soul, [having] sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

3Consider [and] hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the [sleep of] death;

4Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; [and] those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

6I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 13 opens with David's desperate cry to the LORD, questioning how long God will forget him and hide His face, and how long his enemies will prevail. He expresses deep sorrow and pleads for divine intervention to prevent his death and his enemies' triumph. Despite his lament, David declares his trust in God's mercy and anticipates rejoicing in His salvation, vowing to sing praises for God's bountiful dealing.

Medium Summary

The psalm begins with David's fervent and repeated questions to the LORD, asking how long he will be forgotten and God's face hidden, reflecting profound spiritual distress. He describes his inner turmoil, daily sorrow, and the perceived exaltation of his adversaries. David then transitions to an earnest plea for God to consider and hear him, asking for his eyes to be enlightened lest he succumb to the sleep of death. His concern also extends to preventing his enemies from boasting of victory and those who trouble him from rejoicing in his downfall. However, a significant shift occurs as David affirms his unwavering trust in God's mercy. He expresses confidence that his heart will indeed rejoice in God's salvation. The psalm concludes with a resolute vow to sing unto the LORD, acknowledging God's bountiful and gracious dealings with him.

Long Summary

Psalm 13, attributed to David, commences with a profound and repeated lament, as the psalmist cries out to the LORD, questioning "How long?" regarding God's apparent forgetfulness and the hiding of His face. This opening reveals a deep sense of abandonment and spiritual anguish. David further articulates his internal struggle, describing how he takes counsel in his soul and experiences daily sorrow in his heart. A significant source of his distress is the perceived triumph of his enemies, who are "exalted over me." David then transitions to an earnest petition, imploring the LORD his God to "consider and hear me." He specifically asks God to "lighten mine eyes," a plea against falling into the "sleep of death," indicating a fear for his very life or spiritual vitality. The psalmist's concern is not merely personal survival but also the reputation of God, as he fears his enemies will boast of prevailing against him. He also expresses apprehension that those who trouble him will rejoice if he is "moved" or overthrown. Despite this profound distress and the surrounding threats, a dramatic shift in tone occurs in verse 5. David declares his unwavering faith, stating, "But I have trusted in thy mercy." This trust leads to an anticipation of joy: "my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation." The psalm culminates in a resolute declaration of praise. David affirms, "I will sing unto the LORD," providing the reason for this praise: "because he hath dealt bountifully with me." This psalm thus moves from deep lament and petition to a confident expression of trust and a vow of thanksgiving, illustrating a common pattern in the Psalms.

Core Concepts

  • Lament and QuestioningThe psalmist repeatedly questions God's apparent forgetfulness and the hiding of His face, expressing deep anguish and a sense of abandonment. David's 'How long?' signifies a cry of distress and perceived divine absence.
  • Inner Sorrow and Enemy ExaltationDavid describes his internal turmoil and daily grief, intensified by the sight of his enemies seemingly prevailing over him. His heart is filled with daily sorrow, exacerbated by the perceived triumph of his adversaries.
  • Plea for Divine InterventionDavid earnestly petitions God to respond to his cries, seeking divine illumination and protection from the 'sleep of death' and the triumph of his foes. The psalmist implores God to hear him, lighten his eyes, and prevent his death or downfall.
  • Fear of Enemy TriumphDavid expresses concern that his enemies will claim victory and rejoice in his downfall, highlighting his desire for God's intervention to prevent this outcome. A key motivation for David's plea is the desire to prevent his adversaries from boasting of victory over him.
  • Trust in God's MercyA pivotal shift occurs as David declares his steadfast trust in the LORD's mercy, serving as the foundation for his renewed hope. Despite his distress, David affirms his unwavering confidence in God's compassion and faithfulness.
  • Rejoicing in SalvationFrom his trust, David anticipates that his heart will rejoice in the salvation provided by God, marking a transition from despair to hope. This trust leads to an anticipation of joy in God's deliverance.
  • Vow of Praise and ThanksgivingDavid resolves to sing unto the LORD, acknowledging that God has dealt generously and favorably with him, concluding the psalm with an act of worship. The psalm concludes with David's commitment to sing praises to the LORD for His bountiful dealing.