Listen to The Bible:
KJV
Watch Bible video:
KJV

Spread the word and...






Psalms 13

Pslm 13, Ps 13, Psa 13, Psm 13, Pss 13


Psalms 13

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.

If you would like to listen for free to MP3 audio version of this chapter, or any other chapter from The Book of Psalms KJV, please click the button below.



Summary and the Meaning of Psalm 13 from the KJV Holy Bible

Psalm 13, a song of David, is one of the most poignant expressions of faith in the face of extreme adversity in the entire psalter. It is a psalm that reveals the depths of the psalmist's despair, but also his unyielding faith in God's deliverance. The psalm is divided into three distinct sections: a lament, a petition, and an expression of trust in God's salvation.

The psalm begins with a plaintive cry to God: "How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? forever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?" (Psalm 13:1 KJV). The repetition of the phrase "how long" underscores the psalmist's anguish and desperation. He feels abandoned by God, left to suffer without end. The imagery used here is powerful: God has turned His face away, signifying a withdrawal of His favor and presence. This is the psalmist's lament - the expression of his pain and sorrow.

From this point of despair, the psalmist then moves to a petition. He pleads with God to consider him and answer his prayers: "Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;" (Psalm 13:3 KJV). His life is ebbing away, and he fears that without God's intervention, he will succumb to death. He also fears that his enemies will triumph over him, causing them to rejoice at his downfall.

However, the psalm does not end in despair. In the final verses, the psalmist expresses his trust in God's unfailing love and his belief in God's salvation. In spite of his circumstances, he declares: "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 KJV). This is a powerful affirmation of faith, demonstrating the psalmist's unshakeable confidence in God's deliverance, regardless of his current predicament.

The Themes of Psalm 13

There are several significant themes woven throughout Psalm 13, which provide a deeper understanding of the psalmist's experiences and his relationship with God.

First, there is the theme of divine abandonment. The psalmist feels forgotten and forsaken by God. This sense of divine abandonment is a common theme in the psalms, reflecting the reality of human suffering and the struggle to maintain faith in times of crisis. The psalmist's lament is a raw and honest expression of his feelings of abandonment, revealing the depths of his despair.

Second, there is the theme of prayerful petition. Despite his feelings of abandonment, the psalmist does not turn away from God. Instead, he turns to God in prayer, pleading for His intervention. This reflects the psalmist's deep faith and reliance on God. His prayer is not just a cry for help, but also an act of faith - an affirmation of his belief in God's power to save.

Third, there is the theme of trust in divine salvation. Even in the midst of his despair, the psalmist expresses his trust in God's mercy and salvation. This affirms his belief that God will ultimately deliver him from his suffering. His declaration of trust is a powerful testament to his unshakeable faith in God's faithfulness and love.

The Meaning of Psalm 13

The meaning of Psalm 13 lies in its exploration of the human experience of suffering and the struggle to maintain faith in the midst of adversity. It acknowledges the reality of human pain and despair, but also affirms the power of faith and the hope of divine deliverance.

The psalmist's lament is a powerful expression of his despair, reflecting the depths of his suffering. But it is also a testament to his faith. Despite his feelings of abandonment, he does not turn away from God. Instead, he turns to God in prayer, pleading for His intervention. His prayer is not just a cry for help, but an act of faith - an affirmation of his belief in God's power to save.

The psalmist's trust in God's salvation is a powerful affirmation of his faith. Despite his circumstances, he expresses his confidence in God's deliverance. This is a testament to his unshakeable faith in God's faithfulness and love. It is a message of hope and reassurance for all who are facing adversity - a reminder that God hears our prayers, that He is with us in our suffering, and that He will ultimately deliver us.

Thus, Psalm 13 is not just a psalm of lament, but also a psalm of faith. It is a powerful expression of the human struggle to maintain faith in the midst of suffering, and a testament to the power of faith to sustain us in times of adversity. It is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can turn to God in prayer, trust in His mercy, and find hope in His salvation.

In conclusion, Psalm 13 is a profound exploration of the human condition, reflecting the depths of human despair, the struggle to maintain faith in times of crisis, and the power of faith to sustain us in times of adversity. It is a testament to the enduring power of faith and the hope of divine deliverance. Through its powerful imagery and poignant expressions of despair and faith, it speaks to the human experience of suffering and the hope of divine salvation. It is a psalm that resonates with all who have experienced suffering and despair, offering a message of hope and reassurance in the face of adversity.



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

Share this page

Holy-Bible.online
© 2018 - 2024

x