Psalm 13

Asking for Relief

How long, O LORD?
Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I carry counsel in my soul,
sorrow in my heart day after day?
How long shall my enemy be lifted up over me?

Plea for Answer and Help

Look upon me; answer me, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes,
so that I do not sleep the sleep of death, so that my enemy will not say, “I have prevailed,”
and my foes do not rejoice because I am shaken.

Trust and Praise During Sorrow

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your saving help. I will sing to the LORD,
because the LORD has dealt bountifully with me.

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Notes

Translation notes for Psalm 13.

v01

“How long” — The question is repeated throughout the opening lament. The repetition is preserved as the psalmist addresses divine absence, inner sorrow, and the apparent triumph of an enemy.

v02

“carry counsel in my soul” — The Hebrew describes continually placing or taking counsel within oneself. The expression suggests inward deliberation under distress without specifying whether the counsel is planning, questioning, or anxious reflection.

v03

“Give light to my eyes” — The image contrasts renewed vitality with the “sleep of death” that follows. The metaphor is retained rather than explained in the main text.

v05

“steadfast love” — The Hebrew ḥesed names faithful, enduring love grounded in relationship. The turn toward trust does not erase the lament that precedes it.

v06

“dealt bountifully with me” — The final line speaks of the LORD’s action toward the psalmist as the ground of praise. The Hebrew verb can carry the sense of dealing fully or generously with someone.

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Vocabulary

Selected source-language vocabulary for Psalm 13.

v01

פָּנִים (panim)

“Face” or “presence.” In the expression “hide your face,” the term communicates the felt withdrawal of divine attention or presence.

v02

יָגוֹן (yagon)

“Sorrow” or “grief.” Deep inward distress, here located in the heart.

v03

אוֹר (or)

“Light.” The verbal expression “give light to my eyes” uses light as an image of renewed life and strength.

v05

חֶסֶד (ḥesed)

“Steadfast love.” Faithful and enduring love expressed within relationship and covenant.

v05

יְשׁוּעָה (yeshuah)

“Saving help,” “deliverance,” or “salvation.” Rescue or deliverance brought by God.

v06

גָּמַל (gamal)

“To deal with,” “repay,” or “deal bountifully.” Here the verb describes the LORD’s generous action toward the psalmist.