Psalms 13:1

How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever?.... When God does not immediately deliver his people from their enemies, or help them out of an affliction; when he does not discover his love,

How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

Psalms 13 The occasion of this Psalm was David’ s deep and long-continued distresses, from which he prays for deliverance. David complaineth to God of his delay to help, , and the enemies’ triumph, . He, praying for preventing grace, ,4 professeth his trust in God, , and boasteth of Divine mercy, . How long wilt thou forget, i.e. neglect or disregard, me? for ever I how long wilt thou withdraw thy favour and assistance?

Psalms 13:1 « To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. » How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?Ver. 1. How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever?] It appeareth that when David penned this psalm (which some think was about the end of Saul’ s persecution, when he was forced to flee into the land of the Philistines, 1 Samuel 27:1) he was under a dreadful desertion, and that for a long while together; hence his many "How longs," and "for ever?" Christ, saith Greenham, was forsaken for a few hours, David for a few months, and Job for a few years. Luther confesseth of himself that after his conversion he lay three days in desperation; and the like is reported of Mr Robert Bolton, who felt himself for the time in the suburbs of hell, as it were. So did Heman, Psalms 88:5; so did David here and elsewhere. The final absence of God is hell itself. "Depart from me, ye cursed," is worse than "into everlasting fire." To be punished from the presence of the Lord is the hell of hells, 2 Thessalonians 1:9. God seemeth to forget his dearest children sometimes for a season, to the end that they may remember themselves, and become every way better; as the lion leaves her whelps till they have almost killed themselves with roaring, that they may become the more courageous. But, to speak properly, God cannot forget his people, Isaiah 44:16; Isaiah 49:14-16. Non deserit Deus, etiamsi deserere videatur; non deserit etiamsi deserat, saith Austin, If he leave us for a time, yet he forsaketh us not at all. If he hide his face (as in the next words), which is a further trial, and a greater misery (for it importeth indignation, contempt, and hatred), yet it is but for a moment, though it should be during life; and he, therefore, taketh liberty to do it, saith one, because he hath an eternity of time to reveal his kindness in; time enough for kisses and embraces: meanwhile, as when the sun is eclipsed, though the earth wants the light thereof, yet not the influence thereof; so God’ s supporting grace is ever with his deserted.

(1) How long? . . . for ever?—Comp. Psalms 74:10; Psalms 79:5; Psalms 89:46. The double question in the Authorised Version is unnecessary, though, as M. Renan (Les Langues Sémitiques, 2 § 4) explains, it shows how ill writing the poet has begun on one plan, and finished on another. (Comp. Psalms 9:3.) Translate, “How long wilt thou continue to forget me?”

PSALM XIII This Psalm contains the sentiments of an afflicted soul that earnestly desires succour from the Lord. The psalmist complains of delay, 1-3; prays for light and comfort, because he finds himself on the brink of death, 3; dreads the revilings of his enemies, 4; anticipates a favourable answer, and promises thanksgiving, 5, 6. NOTES ON PSALM XIII There is nothing particular in the inscription. The Psalm is supposed to have been written during the captivity, and to contain the prayers and supplications of the distressed Israelites, worn out with their long and oppressive bondage. Verse 1. How long wilt thou forget me] The words עד אנה ad anah, to what length, to what time, translated here how long? are four times repeated in the two first verses, and point out at once great dejection and extreme earnestness of soul. Hide thy face from me?] How long shall I be destitute of a clear sense of thy approbation?

1, 2. A reproachful expostulation in the hour of despair.

How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? - literally, “until when.” The psalmist breaks out into this cry “in the midst” of his troubles. He had apparently borne them as long as he could.

1. How long—Literally, Until when? A most natural outgushing of the heart under long continued sorrow and unrelieved oppression. Psalms 94:3; Zechariah 1:12; Revelation 6:10.