Psalm 13
Psalm 13 Meaning
Psalm 13 is short and famous for its honesty. Four times David asks 'how long,' feeling forgotten by God and defeated by sorrow. It gives words to the ache of waiting when relief does not come.
Yet in just a few verses the prayer travels from complaint to trust. David chooses to rest in God's mercy and sing to the LORD, because God has dealt bountifully with him.
Key verses from Psalm 13
“How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?”
Psalm 13:1
“How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?”
Psalm 13:2
“But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.”
Psalm 13:5
“I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”
Psalm 13:6
How Psalm 13 points to Jesus
Jesus enters our long waiting and our feeling of being forgotten, and He carries us to the other side of it. Because of His mercy we can sing even before the circumstances change.