(1) How long? . . . for ever?—Comp. Psalms 74:10; Psalms 79:5; Psalms 89:46. The double question in the Authorised Version is unnecessary, though, as M. Renan (Les Langues Sémitiques, 2 § 4) explains, it shows how ill writing the poet has begun on one plan, and finished on another. (Comp. Psalms 9:3.) Translate, “How long wilt thou continue to forget me?” read more
(2) Take counsel.—Literally, put plans unto my soul. The plans (LXX., βουλὰς) formed in the mind turn to sorrows as they are frustrated. It is, however, so doubtful whether nephesh can stand for the mind, that it is better to render, how long shall I form plans against my soul (having) sorrow in my heart all the day? The next verse confirms the suspicion that suicide had been in the psalmist’s mind.Daily.—There is a doubt about this rendering; but so Symmachus, and many moderns, relying on... read more
(3) Lighten.—Literally, give light to my eyes that I may not go to sleep in death, i.e., go to sleep and never wake; “sleep unto death,” as the LXX. (Comp. for the nature of the fear, Psalms 6:5; and for the form of expression, 1 Samuel 14:27; 1 Samuel 14:29.) read more
(5) But I.—Emphatic, but as for me. The most complete peace has taken the place of the despair with which the psalm opens. The rhythm of the Hebrew seems to express the restfulness of the thought. “It hath a dying fall.” The LXX. and Vulg. (comp. the Prayer Book version) have an additional clause not found in any MS., “Yea, I will praise the name of the Lord most high.” read more
Reasons for Praise Psalms 13:6 There is a reason for singing. The singing that has no reason is really not singing. Why do we sing? what moves the tongue to utterance? Is it because it is time to sing? then the song will be poor and formal. Is it because we are expected to sing? then will the very pith of the song go out of it. Do we sing because we cannot help it? then there may be strong, tender, heaven-seeking music. 'I will sing unto the Lord, because....' What a wonderful misconception... read more
Psalms 13:1-6THIS little psalm begins in agitation, and ends in calm. The waves run high at first, but swiftly sink to rest, and at last lie peacefully glinting in sunshine. It falls into three strophes, of which the first (Psalms 13:1-2) is the complaint of endurance strained almost to giving way; the second (Psalms 13:3-4) is prayer which feeds fainting faith; and the third (Psalms 13:5-6, which are one in the Hebrew) is the voice of confidence, which in the midst, of trouble, makes future... read more
Psalms 13:0 1. How long? Answer me, Jehovah (Psalms 13:1-4 ) 2. The victory of faith (Psalms 13:5-6 ) Psalms 13:1-4 . Four times “How long?” The trial of faith becomes more severe. Sorrow is in the heart and an enemy is outside. Has then Jehovah forgotten? The hearts begin to despair; an answer is demanded, it must come “lest I sleep the sleep of death.” Psalms 13:5-6 . But here comes the change. Faith triumphs and is victorious. “I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy... read more
13:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? {a} for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?(a) He declares that his afflictions lasted a long time, and that his faith did not waver. read more
13:2 How long shall I take {b} counsel in my soul, [having] sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?(b) Changing my purposes as the sick man does his place. read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 13
XIII.In this short poem we see the power of lyric expression for rapid changes of emotion. In the compass of three short stanzas, decreasing in length as they proceed, we have an alternation from the deepest despair to the profoundest peace. Perhaps here is the record of an eventful period of David’s life, when he had to make a hundred shifts to escape from Saul, and feared often to close his eyes, lest he should never awake alive. But Psalms 13:3 sounds rather like the cry of one suffering... read more