Psalm 13: How Long, O Lord?

Psalm 13:1, 5 "How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?. . .But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation."

"How long, O Lord?" is the question before us this morning. This is a popular question asked in many of the psalms, and it shows of David's great anguish amidst distress. "How long, O Lord?" is in essence David saying "I am in great turmoil, God. When will this trial cease from me? How long until this trial passes?" Before we get into the entirety of the psalm this morning, let us look at this question alone.

The question "How long, O Lord?" presents before us two aspects: an inquiry and an address. First we see the inquiry: "How long?" As stated above, this is David asking when the respective trial will end. He is asking when it will be over and when he will once again be able to be okay. Secondly, this question contains an address, that is, to the Lord. This is so important. David, even in this four-word question, realized that the Lord was his only hope amidst trial. The question was not merely "How long?" but "How long, O Lord?" David knew who was sovereign over the trial, and who could save him from it in the snap of a finger. Even in this very question, we see the constant hope that David had: that amidst every trial, the Lord was still in control.

Nevertheless, the rest of the psalm tells of David's hope in God as well. Though oftentimes these psalms of lament leave a dreary and hopeless taste in our mouth, they ought not to. The very point of all of these psalms of lament is that amidst even the most horrible trials of life, we still have hope. This is what David tells us most simply in Psalm 13. In six short verses, we see David's lament (1-2), his petition (3-4), and his positive conclusion/hope (5-6).

First, David's lament is found in verses 1 and 2. David is clearly distraught over something. In this psalm, it appears to be more of a general distress than a specific instance of turmoil, but it nonetheless involves David's enemies triumphing over him (2b). Nonetheless, David is in so deep distress that he is crying out to the Lord "How long?" He is deeply troubled, and greatly distressed.

Secondly, David's petition is found in verses 3 and 4. David knows who can help him, so he cries out to that very thing. He roots his petition in the great desire to have his enemies destroyed lest they triumph over him. In other words, David does not want evil to flourish, he wants the godly to flourish, so he asks that God destroy his enemies. David desires that the praise of the Lord be heard, not the rejoicing of his enemies (4). He wants his trial to end, but he wants it to end so that God's name might be praised.

Lastly, David's positive conclusion and hope is found in verses 5 and 6. David trusts in the Lord's steadfast love (5). He knows that God is sovereign and in control, even amidst his great distress. His response is singing to the Lord (6) even in the most horrendous of circumstances. Why? "Because he has dealt bountifully with me" (6). David knew that the Lord was good, and that God was for him. Thus he sang to the Lord amidst his distress, knowing that God was for him.

So, are you finding yourself crying out "How long, O Lord?" this morning? Are you amidst a trial that you are deeply distressed about? I encourage you to look to the Lord for your hope. He is for you, and not against you, and has his hand over the very trial that you are in. Sing to him, for he has dealt bountifully to you (6). Amen!