
Whenever you feel forgotten, don’t forget the Lord.
Psalm 13
A lament psalm, written by David.
Laments typically follow a particular pattern: Problem, Prayer, and Praise.
vv. 1–2 (Problem)—David asks, “How long?” four times. He is stressing the mental (soul) and emotional (heart) toll he is enduring because He believes the Lord has forgotten about him.
vv. 3–4 (Prayer)—David desperately cries out, “Look at me! Answer me!” The mental and emotional strain has impacted him physically. He pleads to the Lord to light up his eyes for life, joy, and vitality. Otherwise, he will sleep the final sleep of death, his enemies will say they prevailed over him, and his foes rejoice in his fall.
vv. 5–6 (Praise)—David does not live void of hope. He has and will continue to trust in the revealed character of the LORD. The Lord’s supernatural love is a relational love fixed in His character. Though David’s foes might shout triumphantly over David’s demise, David will shout/rejoice in the deliverance the Lord provides. He will sing to the Lord because the Lord has dealt with the wicked in the way they deserve and because the Lord dealt with David better than he deserved.