Psalms 13
DortDavid complaineth of the delay of Gods help: prayeth, that, for his honours sake he would be pleased to prevent his approaching ruin: and triumpheth through faith.
1. A Psalm of David, for the chief Song-master. [See Psalm 4.on ver.1.]
2. How long, LORD, wilt thou forget me still? [Or, stedfastly, continually, always, evermore forever, altogether , utterly. The Hebrew word doth signify strength, overcoming, and further, an everlastingness, or, long continuance of time, because the same doth hold on, break through all obstacles, are still advancing, and (in a manner) do overcome all at length. Compare Psalm 4.on ver.1. and with the forgeting mentioned here. Genesis 8.ver.1. and 31.on v.17.] how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? [Compare Deut.31.ver.17. and Job 13.on v.24.]
3. How long shall I take Consultations in my soul? [Heb. Set, or put consultations, etc. Consindering and weighing how I may escape the hands of my persecuters.] heaviness in my heart by day? [when the day-light, and with it the stirring of people, and all manner of occurences, do use to allay and break off a mans heaviness and pensiveness, then must I continue still in fear and axious heaviness, of being surprised and apprehended once by Saul and his.] how long shall mine Enemy be exalted over me?
4. Regard, hear me, LORD, my God: enlighten mine eyes, [i.e. Revive and chear me by thy help. Comp. 1 Sam.14.30. Ezra 9:8. and Pro.15.30. the manner of speaking is likewise used of enlightening the understanding, Psalms 19:9. Ephes.1.18, &c.] that I fall not a sleep (in) the death: [Heb. That sleep not the death, i.e. that my life be not taken from me at one time or other. See Deut.31.on ver.16. and comp.Jer.51.39. together with the annot. There.]
5. That mine Enemy say not; I have prevailed against him; mine adversaries rejoice when I should waver. [i.e. Trip, stumble, and fall. Comp. Psalms 10:6.
6. But I trust in thy kindeness: [Or favourableness, benighty] my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation: I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath done well by me. [Thus the Hebrew Verb (which signifieth otherwise, to requite, or recompence, see 2 Chron.20.v.11.) is used of Gods kind and gracious dealing with his, Psalm 103. Verse 2,10. Compared together with Psalm 116. Verse 7. And 119.17. and 142.8. Oth. When he shall have dealt well with me.]