Summary
There is a difference between how we feel, and the truth of something. While we live in a world where it seems feelings trump facts, our subjective feelings do not override reality. We can even feel abandoned by God and distant from him, even though he is objectively near to us and cares for us.
Psalm 13 expresses this tension in a believer’s life, as King David feels neglected and distanced from God. Yet this psalm also expresses the knowledge of God’s goodness and love, as King David reassures himself of God’s faithfulness to his covenant people. As with David, these truths should help assure us even when we feel like God is distant from us.
Our passage explained
v1-3
The opening stanza of Psalm 13 expresses a cry of distress toward God. Verses one and two express four “how long” cries towards God. The first two cries in verse one express feelings of distance from God: “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” David expresses worry that God has “forgotten” him, and does not remember him as one of his covenant people. David feels as if God is withholding his presence from him.
The feelings of distance are further expressed in cries of confusion and frustration in verse two. “How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?” In the third cry, David expresses confusion at his feelings of grief and a subjective feeling of abandonment, as if God no longer provides him with counsel. In the fourth cry, David expresses frustration at the apparent success of those who oppose him, despite God’s covenantal promises to uphold his people.
The second stanza contains David’s plea to God for his attention. David expresses his continued belief in God as his prayer as he addresses the “LORD my God” (v.3), demonstrating his belief that God is both personal to him “my God” and has revealed himself covenantally.
David asks God to “Consider and answer me … light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death” (v.3). He wants God to respond to his prayerful requests, and restore his strength and health, probably spiritual given his cry in verse two.
v4-6
His plea for attention and restoration also answers his worries in the fourth cry that his enemies are exalted over him. He adds a request for answer “lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed over him,’ lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken” (v.4). If God does not respond to David’s cries, David will be defeated, and David’s enemies will have a victory over God.
Psalm 13 concludes with David’s confidence in God’s nearness. “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation” (v.5). David trusts that God is faithful to his promises, expressed in his covenantal merciful loving-kindness (God’s “steadfast love”). David knows that God’s steadfast love towards his people will result in the salvation of all who trust in God, and he rejoices in that knowledge despite his feelings expressed earlier.
Since David knows God’s presence and love for him, he concludes his psalm by saying “I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me” (v.6). David does not abandon God because he felt distanced from him, but persists in trusting God and singing praise to him.
David can trust and worship because he knows that God’s character does not change. God’s saving acts (v.5) and generosity (dealing “bountifully”, v.6) are truths which trump his feelings. God is not distant in anger, but near in his compassion, mercy, and generosity towards David.
Our passage applied
How often do we feel as if God is distant from us? Trouble strikes, and we fear God does not care. We fall into a sin and in our shame think that God must have turned his face away from us, and surely cannot forgive us this time. Perhaps we wonder if God truly loves us, after all. These sorts of feelings are not new; they are felt by believers in all ages.
Despite these feelings, this psalm reminds us of the truth of God’s love for his covenant people. God has promised to save and bless us, to show his loving-kindness and generosity to us. God even sent his own Son, Jesus, to take the punishment and anger of God for sin (Matt. 27:45-47) that we may experience God’s nearness and love (Romans 5:8-11). Because of God’s love and his faith given to us, we can rejoice with joy at the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:8-9).
Our feelings deceive us. God does not change, his mercies are new every morning. God’s faithfulness, his salvation, his generosity to all who trust in him are truths we can rely on. Despite times when we feel God is far away, God’s promises and saving deeds remind us of his nearness and love for us.
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