DAWN

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     Explanation: In Psalm 13 David begins the Psalm in anxiety because of the danger posed to him by his enemies. He ends in the assurance of God's mercy. It refers to a time of persecution and danger for David such as those under Saul or Absalom. David faced imminent danger, as described below. Throughout his life, many of David's enemies were motivated by envy (as was the case with the enemies of Christ). Circe, in the painting above, was also motivated by envy -- envy of her rival, Scylla. Waterhouse depicts her as she pours out the potion which will soon harm her rival. Scylla found no deliverer; but David's deliverer was the LORD.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 1 Samuel 19-31. 2 Samuel 15-18. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 13 - #1. Psalm 13 - #2. Psalm 13 - #3. Psalm 13 - #4. Psalm 13 - #5. NOTE: The last two of these are by the same composer, differently staged. Try watching in split screen -- right click on the bottom taskbar, click on "show windows side by side." ]

     David begins by asking the LORD how long he will forget him. Will it be forever? He asks how long the LORD he will hide his face from him. He asks how long he will commune with the sorrow in his heart. He asks how long his enemy will be exalted over him. These are the expression of someone who is deeply afflicted, feels powerless, and realizes that the only one who can help him (the LORD) is not answering him (1-2). He pleads with the LORD his God to hear him and to give him light before he dies. He is fearful that his enemies will triumph over him and rejoice when he is shaken out of his place (3-4). But reassurance came, and David's confidence returned, allowing him to trust in the LORD's mercy and to expect to be able to rejoice in God's deliverance. Moreover, he expected to be able to sing because of God's bountiful care of him (5-6).

A Psalm of David.

How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD?
for ever?
how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
² How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
having sorrow in my heart daily?
how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

³ Consider and hear me, O LORD my God:
lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
⁴ Lest mine enemy say,
I have prevailed against him;
and those that trouble me rejoice
when I am moved.

⁵ But I have trusted in thy mercy;
my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
⁶ I will sing unto the LORD,
because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]