> [[psalm-12|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-14|Next →]] --- # Psalm 13 ## Prayer for Help 1 For the leader. A psalm of David. ^psalm-13-1 ### I 2 How long, LORD? Will you utterly forget me? ^psalm-13-2 How long will you hide your face from me? 3 How long must I carry sorrow in my soul, ^psalm-13-3 grief in my heart day after day? How long will my enemy triumph over me? ### II 4 Look upon me, answer me, LORD, my God! ^psalm-13-4 Give light to my eyes lest I sleep in death, 5 Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed,” ^psalm-13-5 lest my foes rejoice at my downfall. ### III 6 But I trust in your mercy. ^psalm-13-6 Grant my heart joy in your salvation, I will sing to the LORD, for he has dealt bountifully with me! \* (Psalm 13) A typical lament, in which the psalmist feels forgotten by God (([[psalm-13|Ps 13]]:2] – [3])—note the force of the repetition of “How long.” The references to enemies may suggest some have wished evil on the psalmist. The heartfelt prayer (([[psalm-13|Ps 13]]:4] – [5]) passes on a statement of trust (([[psalm-13|Ps 13]]:6a]), intended to reinforce the prayer, and a vow to thank God when deliverance has come (([[psalm-13|Ps 13]]:6b]). a. (13:2) ([[psalm-06|Ps 6]]:4]; [44:25]; [77:8]; [79:5]; [89:47]; [94:3]; [Lam 5:20]. b. (13:5) [Ps 38:17]. c. (13:6) [Ps 116:7]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-12|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-14|Next →]]