PSALM 13 The occasion of this Psalm was David’s deep and long-continued distresses, from which he prays for deliverance. David complaineth to God of his delay to help, Psalms 13:1, and the enemies’ triumph, Psalms 13:2. He, praying for preventing grace, Psalms 13:3,Psalms 13:4 professeth his trust in God, Psalms 13:5, and boasteth of Divine mercy, Psalms 13:6. read more
How long wilt thou forget, i.e. neglect or disregard, me? for ever I how long wilt thou withdraw thy favour and assistance? read more
How long shall I be in such perplexities and anxieties of mind, not knowing what course to take, nor how to get out of my troubles? read more
Lighten mine eyes; either, 1. Because I find my counsel insufficient, Psalms 13:2, do thou enlighten my mind, and guide me by thy counsel and Spirit into the right way of obtaining thy mercy and help. So this phrase is used Psalms 19:8; Ephesians 1:18. Or, 2. Do thou revive, and comfort, and deliver me from the darkness of death, which is ready to come upon me and to close mine eyes. Nothing is more common than to express great dangers and calamities by darkness, and great comforts and... read more
I have prevailed against him, to wit, by my art or strength; which will reflect dishonour upon thee, as if thou wept either unfaithful and unmindful of thy promises, or unable to make them good. Therefore repress this their arrogancy and blasphemy, and maintain thine own honour. When I am moved; or, stumble, or fall, to wit, into mischief. read more
Neither their threats and brags, nor my own dangers, shall shake my confidence in thy mercy promised to me. read more
Either, 1. In giving me that support and assurance of his favour which for the present I enjoy. Or, 2. In giving me that mercy which he hath freely promised me; it being a common thing for David and other prophets to speak of future deliverances as if they were already come, that so they may signify both the infallible certainty of the thing, and their firm assurance thereof. But the words may be rendered, when he shall have dealt bountifully with me. This verb properly signifies to requite, or... read more
INTRODUCTION“In this psalm we see a servant of God, long and sorely tried by the persecutions of unrelenting enemies, and, as it seems to himself, forgotten and forsaken of God, pouring out the agony of his soul in prayer. It is a long and weary struggle, it is a daily and hourly martyrdom; and wrestling with his despair, he can but cry (like the souls under the altar, Revelation 6:10), ‘How long!’ And then calmer words of prayer rise to his lips (Psalms 13:3-4); and at last Faith asserts her... read more
Psalms 13:1-6 The thirteenth psalm, to the chief musician. Psalm of David.How long will thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long will thou hide your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall my enemy be exalted over me? ( Psalms 13:1-2 )The cry, "O Lord, how long do I go on in this trial? How long, Lord, before You deliver?"Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say,... read more
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Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 13:1-6
XIII. A Prayer in Distress with Confidence of Final Victory. Psalms 13:2 . Read, “ How long must I bear affliction on my soul?” ( Psalms 13:2 a) and in the same verse “ day and night” (LXX, in some codices) or by conjecture “ day after day.” Psalms 13:5 f. confidence in coming deliverance. read more