Psalms 13: From Anguish to Trust
Four repeated 'how longs' resolved into a song of joy.
One of the shortest laments in the Psalter, this chapter follows Psalms 12 and opens with David repeating 'how long' four times as he wrestles with sorrow, a hidden God, and a triumphant enemy. He asks to be enlightened before he sleeps the sleep of death.
How long, O Jehovah? Will thou forget me forever? How long will thou hide thy face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O Jehovah my God. Lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the death,
lest my enemy say, I have prevailed against him, lest my adversaries rejoice when I am moved.
But I have trusted in thy loving kindness. My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
I will sing to Jehovah because he has dealt bountifully with me.