Psalms 13:1
How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
Study Guide
Psalms 13
Overview
A brief but intense individual lament attributed to David with the repeated question 'How long?' directed at God for apparent forgetfulness and abandonment. The psalm moves through questioning and petition to confident trust and anticipated praise, modeling the typical movement of the lament genre.
Key Verses
Psalms 13:2
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
Psalms 13:3
Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Psalms 13:4
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
Psalms 13:5
But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
Full Text
1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.