UNROLL
Pale limestone hills under one unbroken lid of still gray cloud, a small thorn tree alone in the foreground.

Lament · David

Psalm 13

For the day you have prayed the same prayer so long you are tired of hearing it.

6 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

  1. 1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'Psalm 13
  2. 42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressure
  3. 73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom falls
  4. 90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
  5. 107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last Hallelujah

How Long, O LORD?

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

How long, O LORD?

Will You forget me forever?

How long will You hide Your face from me?

How long must I wrestle in my soul,

with sorrow in my heart each day?

How long will my enemy dominate me?

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

A small clay oil lamp on a stone ledge in a dark room, its flame sunk to a blue bead, a thread of smoke rising.

Consider me and respond, O LORD my God.

Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death,

lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him,”

and my foes rejoice when I fall.

But I have trusted in Your loving devotion;

my heart will rejoice in Your salvation.

I will sing to the LORD,

for He has been good to me.

How a lament turns

CryHow long?Complaint1–2Ask3–4Trust5Praise6

Whiteboard

Most laments in the Psalms move like this. Nothing has changed outside. The turn comes on one small word: “But.”

You’ve experienced

Psalm 13

0 of 150 psalms read

A verse to carry with you

But I have trusted in Your loving devotion; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation.

Psalm 13:5

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