Psalm 13:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 13:1-6

David, in affliction, is here pouring out his soul before God; his address is short, but the method is very observable, and of use for direction and encouragement. I. His troubles extort complaints (Ps. 13:1, 2); and the afflicted have liberty to pour out their complaint before the Lord, Ps. 102:1 title. It is some ease to a troubled spirit to give vent to its griefs, especially to give vent to them at the throne of grace, where we are sure to find one who is afflicted in the afflictions of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 13:2

How long shall I take counsel in my soul ,.... Or "put it" F19 אשית "ponam", Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Vatablus. ; to take counsel of good men and faithful friends, in matters of moment and difficulty, is safe and right; and it is best of all to take counsel of God, who is wonderful in it, and guides his people with it; but nothing is worse than for a man to take counsel of his own heart, or only to consult himself; for such counsel often casts a man down, and he is ashamed of it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 13:2

Take counsel in my soul - I am continually framing ways and means of deliverance; but they all come to naught, because thou comest not to my deliverance. When a soul feels the burden and guilt of sin, it tries innumerable schemes of self-recovery; but they are all useless. None but God can speak peace to a guilty conscience. Mine enemy be exalted - Satan appears to triumph while the soul lies under the curse of a broken law. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 13:2

Verse 2 2.How long shall I take counsel in my soul? We know that men in adversity give way to discontent, and look around them, first to one quarter, and then to another, in search of remedies. Especially, upon seeing that they are destitute of all resources, they torment themselves greatly, and are distracted by a multitude of thoughts; and in great dangers, anxiety and fear compel them to change their purposes from time to time, when they do not find any plan upon which they can fix with... 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

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