Psalms 13:1

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 forget me for ever?" but he thrusts the thought away with -How long?" which implies a termination. In the words of Luther, -hope despairs and yet despair hopes." Cp. Psalms 79:5; Psalms 89:46.

wilt thou hide thy face In anger or indifference. Cp. Psalms 10:1; Psalms 10:11; and contrast Psalms 4:6; Psalms 11:7.