INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 13
TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN, A PSALM OF DAVID. According to Theodoret this
psalm was written by David, not when he fled from Saul, but from
Absalom; and gives this reason for it, what happened to him from Saul
was before his sin, and therefore he could speak with great boldness;... [ Continue Reading ]
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, communicate his
grace, apply the blessings and promises of his covenant as usual; and
when he does not visit... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW LONG SHALL I TAKE COUNSEL IN MY SOUL,.... Or "put it" s; to take
counsel of good men and faithful friends, in matters of moment and
difficulty, is safe and right; and it is best of all to take counsel
of God, who is wonderful in it, and guides his people with it; but
nothing is worse than for a... [ Continue Reading ]
CONSIDER [AND] HEAR ME, O LORD MY GOD,.... The psalmist amidst all his
distresses rightly applies to God by prayer, claims his interest in
him as his covenant God, which still continued notwithstanding all his
darkness, desertions, and afflictions; and entreats him to "consider"
his affliction and t... [ Continue Reading ]
LEST MINE ENEMY SAY, I HAVE PREVAILED AGAINST HIM,.... Which is an
argument God takes notice of; and for which reason he does not give up
his people into the hands of their enemies; see Deuteronomy 32:27. The
Chaldee paraphrase interprets this of the evil imagination or
corruption of nature, and rep... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I HAVE TRUSTED IN THY MERCY,.... The faith, hope, and comfort of
the psalmist grew and increased by prayer; from complaining he goes to
praying, from praying to believing; he trusted not in himself, not in
his own heart, nor in his own righteousness and merits, but in the
mercy of God; and not i... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL SING UNTO THE LORD,.... In prayer faith is encouraged, through
believing the heart is filled with joy; and this joy is expressed by
the lips, in songs of praise to the Lord, ascribing the glory of
salvation to him, and giving him thanks for every mercy and blessing
of life;
BECAUSE HE HATH D... [ Continue Reading ]