Psalm 13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 13:5

Verse 5 The Psalmist does not as yet feel how much he has profited by praying; but depending upon the hope of deliverance, which the faithful promise of God enabled him to entertain, he makes use of this hope as a shield to repel those temptations with the terror of which he might be greatly distressed. Although, therefore, he is severely afflicted, and a multiplicity of cares urge him to despair, he, notwithstanding, declares it to be his resolution to continue firm in his reliance upon the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:1

How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? God cannot forget, but man often feels as if he were forgotten of him (comp. Psalms 42:9 ; Psalms 44:24 ; Lamentations 5:20 ). David seems to have feared that God had forgotten him "for ever." How long wilt then hide thy face from me! (comp. Psalms 30:7 ; Isaiah 1:15 ; Ezekiel 39:29 ). The "light of God's countenance" shining on us is the greatest blessing that we know (see Psalms 4:6 ; Psalms 31:18 ; Psalms 44:4 ; Psalms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:1

God's averted face. The hiding of God's face is a sore trial to his people. If they did not love him, they could bear it; but as they love him so much, it is a great affliction. It may be said of such trials, that they are still harder to bear under the gospel. For the very fact that God once dwelt with men—going in and out among them as one of themselves, loving them, and doing them good—makes the mystery of his silence now the deeper, and our distress the greater. "Thou didst hide thy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:1-6

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 13:2

How long shall I take counsel in my soul? or, How long shall I arrange plans? (Kay). Tossing on a sea of doubt and perplexity, David forms plan after plan, but to no purpose. He seeks to find a way of escape from his difficulties, but cannot discover one. Having sorrow in my heart daily; or, all the day. It is, perhaps, implied that the plans are formed and thought over at night. How long shall mine enemy be exalted ever me? A special enemy is once more glanced at. The allusion seems to... 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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 13:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:3

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