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.
Gordon Churchyard
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How Long, Lord?
Psalms 13
Gordon Churchyard
Jesus said. "With God anything is possible". (Matthew 19: 26)
Psalms 13
(This is) a song of David for the music leader.
v1 How long, LORD, will you forget me? For all time?
How long will you hide your face from me?
v2 How long must I think such sad thoughts? All day long?
How long will my enemy win?
v3 Look! Answer me LORD.
My God, give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death.
v4 My enemy will say, "I beat him!"
My enemies will be very happy when I fall.
v5 But I will believe in your love that never fails.
My heart will be very happy because you make me safe.
v6 I will sing to the LORD.
He is so good to me.
The story of Psalms 13
David probably wrote Psalms 13 when Saul tried to kill him. This happened often. David asks God 4 times "How long?" David is very sad. Today we would say that David was depressed. Depressed means that we feel heavy inside because we are very very sad. We would like to die. But David prayed to the LORD. David said that he believed that God would not fail him. God would make him safe. Then David would not be depressed any more. David would sing to the LORD.What Psalms 13 means
Verses 1 – 2: David is depressed. David thought that God had left him. That is what "hide your face from me" means. Verses 3 – 4: David asks God for an answer. David asks for "light to my eyes". This means life. David does not want to die.
Verses 5 – 6: God does not answer David. But David believes that God WILL answer. This is because the love of God never fails.
Something to do
When you feel sad, or depressed, or want to die, remember Psalms 13. Tell God that you feel sad. Ask God for help. Then tell God that you believe that he will answer you. Remember that the love of God never fails.