Psalms 13

From Forsaken Lament to Trust in the LORD’s Unfailing Love

The psalm moves from repeated questions of abandonment, to urgent petitions for divine attention and life, to renewed trust in the LORD’s unfailing love and a vow to sing because the LORD has dealt bountifully with him.

World English Bible, Public Domain

Psalms 13:1-4

The weary soul pleads with God for light and an answer, fearing that continued silence will lead to total defeat and the sleep of death.

1 How long, Yahweh? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me?

3 Behold, and answer me, Yahweh, my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;

4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him;” lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall.

Psalms 13:5–6

Trusting in God’s love and rejoicing in His salvation, the soul moves from lament to a song of divine bounty.

5 But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation.

6 I will sing to Yahweh, because he has been good to me.

Key Terms

שָׁכַח shakach H7911
סָתַר פָּנֶה satar paneh H5641
יָגוֹן yagon H3015
אֹיֵב oyev H341
נָבַט nabat H5027
עָנָה anah H6030
אוֹר or H215
בָּטַח batach H982
חֶסֶד chesed H2617
יְשׁוּעָה yeshuah H3444
שִׁיר shir H7891

World English Bible (WEB): Public Domain Scripture text · License details