Psalm 13

Psalms (overview):
In Psalms we see all the workings of the heart:
1.  David is a man after God's own heart: 1 Sam 13:14
2.  Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks: Mt.12:34
The result is a book which summarizes all that has ever been in the hearts of men and women throughout the world down through time

Psalm 13

(1)   How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
(2)   How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall         mine enemy be exalted over me?
(3)   Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
(4)   Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I         am moved.
(5)   But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
(6)   I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

The subject of this psalm is almost the same as the 12th Psalm.

From C.H. Spurgeon - Treasury of David


OCCASION.
The Psalm cannot be referred to any especial event or period in David's history. All attempts to find it a birthplace are but guesses. It was, doubtless, more than once the language of that much tried man of God, and is intended to express the feelings of the people of God in those ever returning trials which beset them. If the reader has never yet found occasion to use the language of this brief ode, he will do so ere long, if he be a man after the Lord's own heart. We have been wont to call this the "How Long Psalm." We had almost said the Howling Psalm, from the incessant repetition of the cry "how long?"

DIVISION.
This Psalm is very readily to be divided into three parts: the question of anxiety, Ps 13:1-2; the cry of prayer, Ps 13:3-4; the song of faith, Ps 13:5-6."

Verse 1-2
Sometimes it seems we're all alone. The difficulties of life close around us like darkness. And we wonder how we'll make it. Where is the Lord? Why doesn't He answer?

Psalm 13 epitomizes the paradoxical dilemma of the believer. On one hand we know God is able. On the other hand, God is sovereign.

Over and over the Biblical record shows an activist God helping and saving his chosen ones. This evidence and the knowledge that God is able to snap his fingers and make every problem go away, causes us to wonder - even question - why He doesn't.

The paradox is God is able but sometimes doesn't. Why not?
(paradox = A situation seemingly contrary to available evidence.)

There are at least three reasons why we have trouble in this life:
1.   Sin
2.   The whole world is a stage on which the drama of redemption is being played out before         thousands of millions of created intelligences.
3.   The purification of our faith.

God's actions are consistent with His Word.

1.   Skins and banishment from Eden signaled redemption.
2.   Passover continuing the theme of deliverance thru redemption
3.   The three Hebrew boys going through the fire, victory through trial.
4.   Daniel going in the Lions den, victory through trial.
5.   Emanuel = God with us in trial, not God taking us out of trials
6.   You shall have tribulations, but… I have overcome the world.
7.   I shall never leave you nor forsake you.

The consistent message of the Bible is redemption through trials!