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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:1-6

Despair turned to thankfulness. "How long," etc.? "I will sing," etc. The last verse of this tender and beautiful little psalm contains the reply to the first. Despondency is turned into thankfulness; the prayer of anguish into the song of praise. Its music, beginning with a plaintive, pathetic minor, passes through a solemn strain of pleading prayer into the triumphant major of full-voiced faith and joy. This is the music to which many a Christian life is set. It is not a strictly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:1-6

Sorrow and trust; sighing and song. This is one of those numerous psalms which come under the first division specified in our introductory homily. It belongs to those which give us an insight into the religious experiences of an Old Testament saint—probably David—but it matters not whose they were. For they are a precise reflection of the alternations of spiritual mood through which many a sorrowful believer since then has passed; yea, through the like of which many of our readers may be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:1-6

From despondency to peace. The soul may pass quickly from one emotion to another—from fear to hope, from the gloom of despondency to the brightness of peace. Such a change finds expression in this psalm. I. THE CRY . ( Psalms 13:1 , Psalms 13:2 .) Under the pressure of affliction, hard thoughts of God arise. But if there be complaint of God, it is to be observed that the complaint is carried to God. Instead of sullen murmuring, there is meek confession. Instead of bitter... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:1-6

The agony of desertion. Probably a psalm of David, composed at the time of Saul's persecution. It expresses the agony of a mind that thinks itself deserted of God, in danger of death, and threatened by a formidable enemy. It is a long and weary struggle; and, wrestling with his despair, he breaks into a pitiful prayer, which is succeeded by the exercise of a returning faith. I. DESPAIR . ( Psalms 13:1 , Psalms 13:2 .) 1 . He thinks he is for ever forsaken of God. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:3

Consider and hear me, O Lord my God (comp. Psalms 5:1 ; Psalms 9:13 ; Psalms 141:1 , etc.). David will not allow himself to be "forgotten;" he will recall himself to God's remembrance. "Consider—hear me," he says, "O Lord my God;" still "my God," although thou hast forgotten me, and therefore bound to "hear me." Lighten mine eyes. Not so much "enlighten me spiritually,'' as "cheer me up; put brightness into my eyes; revive me". Lest I sleep the sleep of death; literally, lest I sleep... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:4

Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him. The triumph of David's enemy over him, whether he were Saul or any one else, even the ideal wicked man, would be the triumph of evil over good, of those who had cast God behind their back over those who faithfully served him, of irreligion over piety. He could therefore appeal to God—not in his own personal interest, but in the interest of truth and right, and the general good of mankind—to prevent his enemy's triumph. And those that trouble... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:5

But I have trusted (or, I trust) in thy mercy. I know, i.e; that thou wilt not suffer me to be overcome by my enemy. Thou wilt save me; and therefore my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation, whereof I entertain no doubt. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 13:3-5

Psalms 13:3-5. Lighten mine eyes Because I find my own counsels insufficient, do thou enlighten my mind, and guide me by thy counsel into the right way of obtaining thy merciful help. Or, he means, 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. Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him Namely, by my art or strength; which will reflect dishonour on thee, as if thou wert either unfaithful and unmindful... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 13:1-6

Psalms 11-13 Persevere . . . or give in?There came a time when David became tired of his continual flight from Saul, not just because it was wearying, but because it was cutting him off from the public worship places of God’s people (1 Samuel 26:19). His spiritual life was weakened and he gave in to the temptation to leave his own country for the safety of enemy Philistia (1 Samuel 27:1). This is the sort of temptation that David considers in Psalms 11:0, the temptation to go along with... read more

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