Psalm 13 explained: How Long Will This Last?

Four times "how long?" (vv. 1-2)

When God hides his face, it means God has turned away his attention and favor, so the writer feels forgotten and abandoned. He keeps going over plans in his head that lead nowhere, is sad every day, and watches an enemy seem to win.

A plea before it's too late (vv. 3-4)

He asks God to bring light back to his eyes, which pictures eyes growing dim from weakness as death nears, so he is asking to be revived. He fears his enemies will gloat and celebrate if he collapses.

A sudden turn to trust (vv. 5-6)

With no stated change in his situation, he leans on God's steady, loyal love and promises to sing. He speaks of God's generous kindness in the past tense, which may mean he is remembering earlier help or speaking of rescue as if it were already done; readers take it both ways.

Key verse: Psalm 13:5

Something to think about

When something painful drags on with no end in sight, what, if anything, helps you keep going?