Psalms 13:2
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How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me?
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This psalm is the deserted soul's case and cure. Whether it was penned upon any particular occasion does not appear, but in general, I. David sadly complains that God had long withdrawn from him and delayed to relieve him (Psa 13:1, Psa 13:2). II. He earnestly prays to God to consider his case and comfort him (Psa 13:3, Psa 13:4). III. He assures himself of an answer of peace, and therefore concludes the psalm with joy and triumph, because he concludes his deliverance to be as good as wrought (Psa 13:5, Psa 13:6). To the chief musician. A psalm of David.
Open source ↗13:2 A sense of anguish and sorrow closes off any perspective of hope (6:3). Unless the Lord answers the psalmist’s prayers (22:1), death seems inescapable, torturous, and slow (6:6; 32:3; 55:4; 61:2; 102:5; 116:3). The psalmist hardly knows how to pray; he longs for God’s redemption (25:17-18; 31:10; 38:8; 39:2).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
My sorrow is beyond healing; my heart is faint within me.
Why is my pain unending, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become like a mirage to me— water that is not there.
Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. For the LORD has brought her grief because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives before the enemy.
A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
If I am guilty, woe to me! And even if I am righteous, I cannot lift my head. I am full of shame and aware of my affliction.
Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger.
The enemy has come to eternal ruin, and You have uprooted their cities; the very memory of them has vanished.
he grew even more afraid of David. So from then on Saul was David’s enemy.
Remember how the enemy has mocked You, O LORD, how a foolish people has spurned Your name.
From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.