Psalms 13:1-6
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.
This little psalm is very full of beauty as it traces the way by which many a tried and, tempest-tossed soul has found consolation and strength. First of all, there is the cry almost of despair. Foes are oppressing the men of faith. There seems to be no succor even from Jehovah. Yet carefully note that his faith in Jehovah, who is God, abides. He is able to help. To Him then he cries.
This is a lesson of profound value. If the heart be overburdened and Jehovah seems to hide His face, let the story of woe be told to Him. It is a holy exercise. Men may not understand it. They may even charge us with failing faith; when, as a matter of fact, while all other anchorage crumbles in the storm, faith fastens itself more surely on the Rock. How does the psalm end? With a song of triumph. Yet it is a song of faith, for deliverance is not yet realized. How, then, does the song emerge from the wail? Carefully examine the words:
But I have trusted in Thy mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.
That backward look has served to remind the troubled heart of deliverances and a new confidence is born of the memory which utters itself in a song. It is good to "forget the things behind" if memory of them would hinder present consecration. It is also good to remember all the way Jehovah has led us when the day was dark with fear.