Psalm 13: lamentation of a needy for God’s aid

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Psalm 13 is a psalm of lamentation attributed to David. In these sacred words, the psalmist makes an emotional request and even desperate for divine help. It is a short psalm and even considered by some as abrupt, by its powerful words. Read this psalm, its interpretation, and a prayer to pray along with it.

The emotional lamentation of Psalm 13

psalm 13

Read these sacred words with great faith and attention:

” ¹How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
²How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

³Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
⁴and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

⁵But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
⁶I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.”

Interpretation of Psalm 13

Verses 1 and 2

In these first two verses of Psalm 13, David seems desperate for divine mercy. God allows him to unburden himself before Him, to mourn his sorrows, and to calm his heart. As we read the first verses we think: David is questioning God. But make no mistake, this is the lament of a desperate man who can only trust in divine mercy.

Verses 3 and 4

Just as someone who feels death approaching, David asks God to enlighten his eyes so that he does not die. David is sure that if God does not come, not intervene, he will die, and therefore He is his last salvation. He is afraid that his enemies will boast of his victories against him, mocking his devotion and faith in God.

Verses 5 and 6

In the last verses of Psalm 13, we realize that David does not doubt God. He trusts God, moves from despair to trust, remembers his commitment to God and describes his faithful love for Him. He says that he will sing without a doubt and with praise and that God will set him free.

Prayer to pray with Psalm 13

Psalm 13

“Lord, may my sufferings never make me doubt your presence. I know that you are not indifferent to our problems. You are a God who walks with us. May I never cease to sing for all the good you do for me and my loved ones. Amen!”

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