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Psalms 13:2 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

2 How long shall I take H7896 counsel H6098 in my soul, H5315 having sorrow H3015 in my heart H3824 daily? H3119 how long shall mine enemy H341 be exalted H7311 over me?

Cross Reference

Micah 7:8-10 STRONG

Rejoice H8055 not against me, O mine enemy: H341 when I fall, H5307 I shall arise; H6965 when I sit H3427 in darkness, H2822 the LORD H3068 shall be a light H216 unto me. I will bear H5375 the indignation H2197 of the LORD, H3068 because I have sinned H2398 against him, until he plead H7378 my cause, H7379 and execute H6213 judgment H4941 for me: he will bring me forth H3318 to the light, H216 and I shall behold H7200 his righteousness. H6666 Then she that is mine enemy H341 shall see H7200 it, and shame H955 shall cover H3680 her which said H559 unto me, Where is the LORD H3068 thy God? H430 mine eyes H5869 shall behold H7200 her: now shall she be trodden down H4823 as the mire H2916 of the streets. H2351

Psalms 77:2-12 STRONG

In the day H3117 of my trouble H6869 I sought H1875 the Lord: H136 my sore H3027 ran H5064 in the night, H3915 and ceased H6313 not: my soul H5315 refused H3985 to be comforted. H5162 I remembered H2142 God, H430 and was troubled: H1993 I complained, H7878 and my spirit H7307 was overwhelmed. H5848 Selah. H5542 Thou holdest H270 mine eyes H5869 waking: H8109 I am so troubled H6470 that I cannot speak. H1696 I have considered H2803 the days H3117 of old, H6924 the years H8141 of ancient times. H5769 I call to remembrance H2142 my song H5058 in the night: H3915 I commune H7878 with mine own heart: H3824 and my spirit H7307 made diligent search. H2664 Will the Lord H136 cast off H2186 for ever? H5769 and will H3254 he be favourable H7521 no more? Is his mercy H2617 clean gone H656 for ever? H5331 doth his promise H562 fail H1584 for evermore? H1755 H1755 Hath God H410 forgotten H7911 to be gracious? H2589 hath he in anger H639 shut up H7092 his tender mercies? H7356 Selah. H5542 And I said, H559 This is my infirmity: H2470 but I will remember the years H8141 of the right hand H3225 of the most High. H5945 I will remember H2142 H2142 the works H4611 of the LORD: H3050 surely I will remember H2142 thy wonders H6382 of old. H6924 I will meditate H1897 also of all thy work, H6467 and talk H7878 of thy doings. H5949

Psalms 94:18-19 STRONG

When I said, H559 My foot H7272 slippeth; H4131 thy mercy, H2617 O LORD, H3068 held me up. H5582 In the multitude H7230 of my thoughts H8312 within H7130 me thy comforts H8575 delight H8173 my soul. H5315

Psalms 123:3-4 STRONG

Have mercy H2603 upon us, O LORD, H3068 have mercy H2603 upon us: for we are exceedingly H7227 filled H7646 with contempt. H937 Our soul H5315 is exceedingly H7227 filled H7646 with the scorning H3933 of those that are at ease, H7600 and with the contempt H937 of the proud. H3238 H1343 H1349

Psalms 142:4-7 STRONG

I looked H5027 on my right hand, H3225 and beheld, H7200 but there was no man that would know H5234 me: refuge H4498 failed H6 me; no man cared H1875 for my soul. H5315 I cried H2199 unto thee, O LORD: H3068 I said, H559 Thou art my refuge H4268 and my portion H2506 in the land H776 of the living. H2416 Attend H7181 unto my cry; H7440 for I am brought H1809 very H3966 low: H1809 deliver H5337 me from my persecutors; H7291 for they are stronger H553 than I. Bring H3318 my soul H5315 out of prison, H4525 that I may praise H3034 thy name: H8034 the righteous H6662 shall compass me about; H3803 for thou shalt deal bountifully H1580 with me.

Psalms 143:3-4 STRONG

For the enemy H341 hath persecuted H7291 my soul; H5315 he hath smitten H1792 my life H2416 down H1792 to the ground; H776 he hath made me to dwell H3427 in darkness, H4285 as those that have been long H5769 dead. H4191 Therefore is my spirit H7307 overwhelmed H5848 within me; my heart H3820 within H8432 me is desolate. H8074

Job 7:12-15 STRONG

Am I a sea, H3220 or a whale, H8577 that thou settest H7760 a watch H4929 over me? When I say, H559 My bed H6210 shall comfort H5162 me, my couch H4904 shall ease H5375 my complaint; H7879 Then thou scarest H2865 me with dreams, H2472 and terrifiest H1204 me through visions: H2384 So that my soul H5315 chooseth H977 strangling, H4267 and death H4194 rather than my life. H6106

Job 9:19-21 STRONG

If I speak of strength, H3581 lo, he is strong: H533 and if of judgment, H4941 who shall set H3259 me a time to plead? If I justify H6663 myself, mine own mouth H6310 shall condemn H7561 me: if I say, I am perfect, H8535 it shall also prove me perverse. H6140 Though I were perfect, H8535 yet would I not know H3045 my soul: H5315 I would despise H3988 my life. H2416

Job 9:27-28 STRONG

If I say, H559 I will forget H7911 my complaint, H7879 I will leave off H5800 my heaviness, H6440 and comfort H1082 myself: I am afraid H3025 of all my sorrows, H6094 I know H3045 that thou wilt not hold me innocent. H5352

Job 23:8-10 STRONG

Behold, I go H1980 forward, H6924 but he is not there; and backward, H268 but I cannot perceive H995 him: On the left hand, H8040 where he doth work, H6213 but I cannot behold H2372 him: he hideth H5848 himself on the right hand, H3225 that I cannot see H7200 him: But he knoweth H3045 the way H1870 that I take: H5978 when he hath tried H974 me, I shall come forth H3318 as gold. H2091

Psalms 7:4-5 STRONG

If I have rewarded H1580 evil H7451 unto him that was at peace H7999 with me; (yea, I have delivered H2502 him that without cause H7387 is mine enemy:) H6887 Let the enemy H341 persecute H7291 my soul, H5315 and take H5381 it; yea, let him tread down H7429 my life H2416 upon the earth, H776 and lay H7931 mine honour H3519 in the dust. H6083 Selah. H5542

Psalms 22:7-8 STRONG

All they that see H7200 me laugh me to scorn: H3932 they shoot out H6358 the lip, H8193 they shake H5128 the head, H7218 saying, He trusted H1556 on the LORD H3068 that he would deliver H6403 him: let him deliver H5337 him, seeing he delighted H2654 in him.

Psalms 42:9-10 STRONG

I will say H559 unto God H410 my rock, H5553 Why hast thou forgotten H7911 me? why go H3212 I mourning H6937 because of the oppression H3906 of the enemy? H341 As with a sword H7524 in my bones, H6106 mine enemies H6887 reproach H2778 me; while they say H559 daily H3117 unto me, Where is thy God? H430

Psalms 44:14-16 STRONG

Thou makest H7760 us a byword H4912 among the heathen, H1471 a shaking H4493 of the head H7218 among the people. H3816 My confusion H3639 is continually H3117 before me, and the shame H1322 of my face H6440 hath covered H3680 me, For the voice H6963 of him that reproacheth H2778 and blasphemeth; H1442 by reason H6440 of the enemy H341 and avenger. H5358

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Psalms 13

Commentary on Psalms 13 Matthew Henry Commentary


Psalm 13

This psalm is the deserted soul's case and cure. Whether it was penned upon any particular occasion does not appear, but in general,

  • I. David sadly complains that God had long withdrawn from him and delayed to relieve him (v. 1, 2).
  • II. He earnestly prays to God to consider his case and comfort him (v. 3, 4).
  • III. He assures himself of an answer of peace, and therefore concludes the psalm with joy and triumph, because he concludes his deliverance to be as good as wrought (v. 5, 6).

To the chief musician. A psalm of David.

Psa 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 (v. 1, 2); and the afflicted have liberty to pour out their complaint before the Lord, Ps. 102 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 his people and is troubled with the feeling of their infirmities; thither we have boldness of access by faith, and there we have parreµsia-freedom of speech. Observe here,
    • 1. What David complains of.
      • (1.) God's unkindness; so he construed it, and it was his infirmity. He thought God had forgotten him, had forgotten his promises to him, his covenant with him, his former lovingkindness which he had shown him and which he took to be an earnest of further mercy, had forgotten that there was such a man in the world, who needed and expected relief and succour from him. Thus Zion said, My God has forgotten me (Isa. 49:14), Israel said, My way is hidden from the Lord, Isa. 40:27. Not that any good man can doubt the omniscience, goodness, and faithfulness of God; but it is a peevish expression of prevailing fear, which yet, when it arises from a high esteem and earnest desire of God's favour, though it be indecent and culpable, shall be passed by and pardoned, for the second thought will retract it and repent of it. God hid his face from him, so that he wanted that inward comfort in God which he used to have, and herein was a type of Christ upon the cross, crying out, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? God sometimes hides his face from his own children, and leaves them in the dark concerning their interest in him; and this they lay to heart more than any outward trouble whatsoever.
      • (2.) His own uneasiness.
        • [1.] He was racked with care, which filled his head: I take counsel in my soul; "I am at a loss, and am inops consilii-without a friend to advise with that I can put any confidence in, and therefore am myself continually projecting what to do to help myself; but none of my projects are likely to take effect, so that I am at my wits' end, and in a continual agitation.' Anxious cares are heavy burdens with which good people often load themselves more than they need.
        • [2.] He was overwhelmed with sorrow, which filled his heart: I have sorrow in my heart daily. He had a constant disposition to sorrow and it preyed upon his spirits, not only in the night, when he was silent and solitary, but by day too, when lighter griefs are diverted and dissipated by conversation and business; nay, every day brought with it fresh occasions of grief; the clouds returned after the rain. The bread of sorrow is sometimes the saint's daily bread. Our Master himself was a man of sorrows.
      • (3.) His enemies' insolence, which added to his grief. Saul his great enemy, and others under him, were exalted over him, triumphed in his distress, pleased themselves with his grief, and promised themselves a complete victory over him. This he complained of as reflecting dishonour upon God, and his power and promise.
    • 2. How he expostulates with God hereupon: "How long shall it be thus?' And, "Shall it be thus for ever?' Long afflictions try our patience and often tire it. It is a common temptation, when trouble lasts long, to think it will last always; despondency then turns into despair, and those that have long been without joy begin, at last, to be without hope. "Lord, tell me how long thou wilt hide thy face, and assure me that it shall not be for ever, but that thou wilt return at length in mercy to me, and then I shall the more easily bear my present troubles.'
  • II. His complaints stir up his prayers, v. 3, 4. We should never allow ourselves to make any complaints but what are fit to be offered up to God and what drive us to our knees. Observe here,
    • 1. What his petitions are: Consider my case, hear my complaints, and enlighten my eyes, that is,
      • (1.) "Strengthen my faith;' for faith is the eye of the soul, with which it sees above, and sees through, the things of sense. "Lord, enable me to look beyond my present troubles and to foresee a happy issue of them.'
      • (2.) "Guide my way; enable me to look about me, that I may avoid the snares which are laid for me.'
      • (3.) "Refresh my soul with the joy of thy salvation.' That which revives the drooping spirits is said to enlighten the eyes, 1 Sa. 14:27; Ezra 9:8. "Lord, scatter the cloud of melancholy which darkens my eyes, and let my countenance be made pleasant.'
    • 2. What his pleas are. He mentions his relation to God and interest in him (O Lord my God!) and insists upon the greatness of the peril, which called for speedy relief and succour. If his eyes were not enlightened quickly,
      • (1.) He concludes that he must perish: "I shall sleep the sleep of death; I cannot live under the weight of all this care and grief.' Nothing is more killing to a soul then the want of God's favour, nothing more reviving than the return of it.
      • (2.) That then his enemies would triumph: "Lest my enemy say, So would I have it; lest Saul, lest Satan, be gratified in my fall.' It would gratify the pride of his enemy: He will say, "I have prevailed, I have gotten the day, and been too hard for him and his God.' It would gratify the malice of his enemies: They will rejoice when I am moved. And will it be for God's honour to suffer them thus to trample upon all that is sacred both in heaven and earth?
  • III. His prayers are soon turned into praises (v. 5, 6): But my heart shall rejoice and I will sing to the Lord. What a surprising change is here in a few lines! In the beginning of the psalm we have him drooping, trembling, and ready to sink into melancholy and despair; but, in the close of it, rejoicing in God, and elevated and enlarged in his praises. See the power of faith, the power of prayer, and how good it is to draw near to God. If we bring our cares and griefs to the throne of grace, and leave them there, we may go away like Hannah, and our countenance will be no more sad, 1 Sa. 1:18. And here observe the method of his comfort.
    • 1. God's mercy is the support of his faith. "My case is bad enough, and I am ready to think it deplorable, till I consider the infinite goodness of God; but, finding I have that to trust to, I am comforted, though I have no merit of my own. In former distresses I have trusted in the mercy of God, and I never found that it failed me; his mercy has in due time relieved me and my confidence in it has in the mean time supported me. Even in the depth of this distress, when God hid his face from me, when without were fightings and within were fears, yet I trusted in the mercy of God and that was as an anchor in a storm, by the help of which, though I was tossed, I was not overset.' And still I do trust in thy mercy; so some read it. "I refer myself to that, with an assurance that it will do well for me at last.' This he pleads with God, knowing what pleasure he takes in those that hope in his mercy, Ps. 147:11.
    • 2. His faith in God's mercy filled his heart with joy in his salvation; for joy and peace come by believing, Rom. 15:13. Believing, you rejoice, 1 Pt. 1:8. Having put his trust in the mercy of God, he is fully assured of salvation, and that his heart, which was now daily grieving, should rejoice in that salvation. Though weeping endure long, joy will return.
    • 3. His joy in God's salvation would fill his mouth with songs of praise (v. 6): "I will sing unto the Lord, sing in remembrance of what he has done formerly; though I should never recover the peace I have had, I will die blessing God that ever I had it. He has dealt bountifully with me formerly, and he shall have the glory of that, however he is pleased to deal with me now. I will sing in hope of what he will do for me at last, being confident that all will end well, will end everlastingly well.' But he speaks of it as a thing past (He has dealt bountifully with me), because by faith he had received the earnest of the salvation and he was as confident of it as if it had been done already.

In singing this psalm and praying it over, if we have not the same complaints to make that David had, we must thank God that we have not, dread and deprecate his withdrawings, sympathize with those that are troubled in mind, and encourage ourselves in our most holy faith and joy.