Knowing The Word in Psalm 13

How Long, O Lord?

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Comments

Have your emotions ever swung all over the place? David’s are with God. They swing from despair to trust in God. Yet these are more than emotions; they are the reality of those who do indeed trust in the Lord and await his salvation. When we are courageous, we still experience fear. When we are joyful, we still experience sadness. These are not contradictions but the reality of having a healthy and honest relationship with God.

Prayer

Father, I am seeking: I am hesitant and uncertain, but will you, O God, watch over each step of mine and guide me.

Augustine, 354-430