From the darkness of despair (Psalms 13:1-2) the Psalmist wins his way through prayer (Psalms 13:3-4) to a joyous hope of ultimate deliverance (Psalms 13:5-6). His power of endurance is well-nigh spent. Jehovah seems to have forgotten or forsaken him. His own resources are exhausted. If Jehovah doe... [ Continue Reading ]
How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me for ever? (R.V.) Feeling, not logic, shapes the sentence, combining two questions into a self-contradictory expression. He is tempted to deny faith's confession (Psalms 9:18), and assent to the sneer of the godless (Psalms 10:11). He is ready to ask, -Wilt thou... [ Continue Reading ]
A reproachful expostulation in the hour of despair.... [ Continue Reading ]
Lit. How long shall I set counsels in my soul? devising one plan after another in vain. _daily_ The Heb. word means _by day_in contrast to _by night_(Psalms 22:2). We must either supply _and by night_(it is added in some MSS. of the LXX), or with R.V. render all the day, which however is hardly jus... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold (Psalms 10:14), instead of hiding Thy face, answer me (Psalms 3:4) instead of forgetting my need. _Lighten mine eyes_ Revive and quicken me. The eyes are the index of vital energy. They -waste away," they lose their light, they -are darkened," by sickness or sorrow (Psalms 6:7; Psalms 38:10;... [ Continue Reading ]
A prayer, in calmer tone.... [ Continue Reading ]
and _those_&c. R.V., Lest mine adversaries rejoice when I am moved. Cp. Psalms 38:16. And by their triumph, as the emphatic contrast of the following verse implies, the honour of God Whom he trusts will suffer.... [ Continue Reading ]
More exactly: But as for me, in thy lovingkindness do I trust. Cp. Psalms 5:7. _My heart shall rejoice … I will sing_ Better: let my heart rejoice … let me sing. Faith has triumphed. He can look forward with confidence. But humility transforms his resolution to give thanks into a prayer. _Because... [ Continue Reading ]
The joy of deliverance.... [ Continue Reading ]