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?
Don't rejoice against me, my enemy. When I fall, I will arise. When I sit in darkness, Yahweh will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of Yahweh, Because I have sinned against him, Until he pleads my case, and executes judgment for me. He will bring me forth to the light. I will see his righteousness. Then my enemy will see it, And shame will cover her who said to me, Where is Yahweh your God? Then my enemy will see me and will cover her shame. Now she will be trodden down like the mire of the streets.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn't get tired. My soul refused to be comforted. I remember God, and I groan. I complain, and my spirit is overwhelmed. Selah. You hold my eyelids open. I am so troubled that I can't speak. I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times. I remember my song in the night. I consider in my own heart; My spirit diligently inquires: "Will the Lord reject us forever? Will he be favorable no more? Has his loving kindness vanished forever? Does his promise fail for generations? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he, in anger, withheld his compassion?" Selah. Then I thought, "I will appeal to this: The years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember Yah's deeds; For I will remember your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all your work, And consider your doings.
Have mercy on us, Yahweh, have mercy on us, For we have endured much contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease, With the contempt of the proud.
Look on my right, and see; For there is no one who is concerned for me. Refuge has fled from me. No one cares for my soul. I cried to you, Yahweh. I said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living." Listen to my cry, For I am in desperate need. Deliver me from my persecutors, For they are stronger than me. Bring my soul out of prison, That I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me, For you will be good to me.
Am I a sea, or a sea-monster, That you put a guard over me? When I say, 'My bed shall comfort me, My couch shall ease my complaint;' Then you scar me with dreams, And terrify me through visions: So that my soul chooses strangling, Death rather than my bones.
If it is a matter of strength, behold, he is mighty! If of justice, 'Who,' says he, 'will summon me?' Though I am righteous, my own mouth shall condemn me. Though I am blameless, it shall prove me perverse. I am blameless. I don't regard myself. I despise my life.
"If I go east, he is not there; If west, I can't find him; He works to the north, but I can't see him; He turns south, but I can't catch a glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth like gold.
If I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (Yes, I have delivered him who without cause was my adversary), Let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; Yes, let him tread my life down to the earth, And lay my glory in the dust. Selah.
I will ask God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me, While they continually ask me, "Where is your God?"
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 13
Commentary on Psalms 13 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 13
Ps 13:1-6. On title, see Introduction. The Psalmist, mourning God's absence and the triumph of his enemies, prays for relief before he is totally destroyed, and is encouraged to hope his trust will not be in vain.
1. The forms of expression and figure here used are frequent (compare Ps 9:12, 18; 10:11, 12).
How long … for ever—Shall it be for ever?
2. The counsels or devices of his heart afford no relief.
3. lighten mine eyes—dim with weakness, denoting approaching death (compare 1Sa 14:27-29; Ps 6:7; 38:10).
4. rejoice—literally, "shout as in triumph."
I am moved—cast down from a firm position (Ps 10:6).
5, 6. Trust is followed by rejoicing in the deliverance which God effects, and, instead of his enemy, he can lift the song of triumph.