Psalms 13 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

PBV 'How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord, for ever?' A single question instead of the double one of AV. 'Forget for ever' means 'continue to forget.' The seemingly self-contradictory form of the question reflects the conflict of the writer's feelings, 'Hope despairs and yet despair hopes' (Luther). Note the four repetitions of 'how long' in Psalms 13:1; Psalms 13:2.

of the Messianic hope in Psalms 2, 20, 28, 40. The following Pss. are either quoted from or distinctly referred to in NT.: 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 14, 16, 18, 22, 24, 32, 34, 40, 41. In several instances the NT. writer finds the fulfilment of the OT. passage in Christ. Thus Psalms 2, with its defence of Jehovah's righteous King, of whom He says, 'Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten Thee,' is regarded as descriptive of Christ in Acts 13:33 and Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 5:5 and Psalms 22, with its pathetic presentment of the suffering Servant of Jehovah, is reported to have been actually quoted by Christ upon the cross (Matthew 27:44; Mark 15:34), and Psalms 22:18 is asserted in John 19:24 to have been literally fulfilled in one of the incidents of His crucifixion.

The moral teaching of this first book of Psalms is simple and emphatic. It rests upon an unswerving belief in the will and power of God to uphold the moral values of life, and mete out punishments and rewards according to personal desert. In whatever circumstances they may be placed, the writers never lose hold of their conviction of the ultimate prosperity of the righteous and destruction of the wicked. Appearances may seem to contradict their faith, but they cling to it all the more strenuously, and insist that in the long run the balance will be redressed. The ideal' character portrayed by them is that of the good man, defamed, wronged, and oppressed by irreligious foes, but holding fast his faith in God, and trusting confidently that, in His own good time, He will deliver him. Sometimes there is a note of joy and thankfulness at the accomplishment of the deliverance; and this leads on to the anticipation of a time when, throughout the whole world, the justice of God will be manifested, and His power felt.

The prominence which the Ps. gives to one enemy (Psalms 13:2) among the writer's numerous adversaries (Psalms 13:4), suggests the circumstances of David's persecution by Saul (1 Samuel 21-27). The Psalmist begins in agitation and despondency, and ends in tranquillity and faith.

Take counsel in my soul] be compelled to make vain plans for my own deliverance.

Lighten mine eyes] give me new life and hope. 'Dying eyes are glazed: a sick man's are heavy and dull. Returning health brightens them': see 1 Samuel 14:27; 1 Samuel 14:29.