How Long, O Lord? – Psalm 13
Psalm 13 – For the director of music. A psalm of David.
This Psalm of David is for all of us (for the “Director of Music”, so it was for everyone).
We lament. (verses 1-2)
1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me for ever?
Psalm 13:1-2
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
“How long?” So many “how longs” in life. Close companions or unwelcome visitors. Are we allowed to ask? Is it ok to ask God that?
- 4 “how longs”.
- It’s Ok to tell God. He knows anyway. He won’t think we are impolite.
- David says “O Lord”, so his question is not a sign of absent or little faith.
We ask. (verses 3-4)
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Psalm 13:3-4
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
- David, feeling forgotten, turns to God in prayer. Lousy logic, but excellent faith.
- David looks to his God to overcome his enemies. Who else would we turn to?
Certainty (verses 5-6)
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
Psalm 13:5-6
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
David trusts, rejoices, even sings because of God’s unfailing love.
Are any of your “How longs” beyond the scope of David’s Psalm?
New International Version – UK (NIVUK)
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.