Psalm 13 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
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?
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.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 13:5
Verse: וְאֶתְחַלֵּל לְעוֹלָם יְהוָה
Transliteration: V’etkhalel l’olam Adonai
English: “But I have trusted in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.”
Focus Word: חָלַל (Chalal)
- Root: ח-ל-ל (Chet-Lamed-Lamed)
- Meaning: In this context, “to trust” or “to hope confidently.”
- Deeper Insight: Hebrew chalal implies a deep, inner reliance, not mere intellectual belief.
Biblical Scholars on This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 13 |
|---|---|---|
| John Calvin (University of Paris / Orléans, 1509–1564) | Commentaries on the Psalms | Calvin sees Psalm 13 as David’s honest lament, teaching believers to pour out sorrow and then trust God’s mercy. |
| Matthew Henry (Christ Church, Oxford, 1662–1714) | Exposition of the Old and New Testament | Henry emphasizes perseverance in prayer, trusting God’s goodness despite feelings of delay. |
| Richard Sibbes (Pembroke College, Cambridge, 1577–1635) | The Bruised Reed | Sibbes highlights the Psalm’s movement from despair to rejoicing in God’s salvation. |
| John Owen (University of Oxford, 1616–1683) | A Commentary on the Psalms | Owen interprets the Psalm as demonstrating the appropriateness of expressing grief while maintaining hope in divine faithfulness. |
| Thomas Manton (Christ’s College, Cambridge, 1620–1677) | Exposition of the Psalms | Manton stresses trusting God even when affliction seems prolonged, seeing prayer as both honest lament and faith exercise. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin sees the psalm as the cry of one who feels forgotten. Despair turns to hope through prayer. Praise concludes the struggle. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as a prayer born of delay. Faith pleads for light and mercy. The psalmist rejoices before deliverance arrives. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes views the psalm as lament over prolonged suffering. Hope grows through prayer. The psalm ends with confidence in God’s salvation. |
| Franz Delitzsch – Commentary on the Psalms | Delitzsch sees the psalm as portraying the tension between despair and trust. The psalmist cries for illumination. Joy arises from faith. |
| C. F. Keil – Keil & Delitzsch Commentary | Keil interprets the psalm as complaint giving way to confidence. God’s silence troubles the psalmist. Trust restores joy. |
| J. J. Stewart Perowne – The Psalms | Perowne views the psalm as short yet profound. The psalmist’s cry is urgent. Faith triumphs in praise. |
| William Binnie – The Psalms | Binnie sees the psalm as an example of prayer under delay. Complaint becomes confidence. Praise seals the prayer. |
| Hermann Gunkel – Die Psalmen | Gunkel interprets the psalm as lament that transforms into trust. The psalmist pleads for deliverance. Joy emerges as faith awakens. |
| James G. Murphy – Commentary on the Psalms | Murphy sees the psalm as the soul wrestling with divine silence. The psalmist seeks enlightenment. Praise follows renewed trust. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth interprets the psalm as the Church’s cry in times of delay. Faith holds fast. Praise arises from assurance of salvation. |
