Psalms 13 — How Long Wilt Thou Forget Me, O Lord?
How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes. But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
“But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”
— Psalm 13:5-6
- v.1-2 How long?
- v.3-4 Consider and hear me
- v.5-6 I have trusted
But. The pivot. The complaint turns into confession of trust. I have trusted.
The pattern of biblical lament. Speak the trouble; turn to the Lord. Both moves are needed.
When the hard season is long, pray Psalm 13. Speak the how long?; then say but I have trusted. The verse trains the soul to lament and trust at once.
Christ Himself knew prolonged anguish in His Gethsemane agony (Matthew 26:38-39). The psalm's pattern is fulfilled in His own faithful suffering.
Four how longs in two verses. The psalm honors prolonged hard times by giving language for them.
A model. Pray honest how long? prayers; the verse authorizes them.