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Psalms 13:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 13:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

THE writer—again, according to the title, David—is reduced almost to utter despair. He has undergone lengthened persecution—the Divine countenance has been turned away from him (); it seems to him that God has altogether forgotten him; he is in extreme perplexity and distress (), and raises the cry—so often raised by sufferers (; ; ; ; , ; ; )—"How long?" This cry he repeats four times (, ). He does not, however, quite despair. In he passes from protest to prayer; and in , he proceeds from prayer to praise, having (apparently) through his prayer received an internal assurance of God's help. The tone suits the time when he was "hunted in the mountains" by Saul ().

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Matthew Henry on Psalms 13:1-6Psalms 13:1-6 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryGod sometimes hides his face, and leaves his own children in the dark concerning their interest in him: and this they lay to heart more than any outward trouble whatever. But anxious cares are heavy burdens with which b…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 13:1Psalms 13:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryHow 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 forgott…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 13:1-6Psalms 13:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentarySorrow 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 experien…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 13:1-6Psalms 13:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryFrom 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. (Ps…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 13:1Psalms 13:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryGod'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…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 13:1-6Psalms 13:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe 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 enem…
commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 13:1-6God sometimes hides his face, and leaves his own children in the dark concerning their interest in him: and this they lay to heart more than any outward trouble whatever. But anxious cares are heavy burdens with which b…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 13:1-6From 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. (Ps…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 13:1God'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…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 13:1How 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 forgott…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 13:1-6The 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 enem…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 13:1-6Sorrow 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 experien…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 13:2How 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 di…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 13:3Consider 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…Joseph S. Exell and contributors