Psalm 13 - New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Psalm 13[a]

Prayer for Help

1 For the leader. A psalm of David.

I

2 How long, Lord? Will you utterly forget me?
How long will you hide your face from me?(A)
3 How long must I carry sorrow in my soul,
grief in my heart day after day?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

II

4 Look upon me, answer me, Lord, my God!
Give light to my eyes lest I sleep in death,
5 Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed,”
lest my foes rejoice at my downfall.(B)

III

6 But I trust in your mercy.
Grant my heart joy in your salvation,
I will sing to the Lord,
for he has dealt bountifully with me!(C)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 13 A typical lament, in which the psalmist feels forgotten by God (Ps 13:2–3)—note the force of the repetition of “How long.” The references to enemies may suggest some have wished evil on the psalmist. The heartfelt prayer (Ps 13:4–5) passes on a statement of trust (Ps 13:6a), intended to reinforce the prayer, and a vow to thank God when deliverance has come (Ps 13:6b).

Cross references

  1. 13:2 : Ps 6:4; 44:25; 77:8; 79:5; 89:47; 94:3; Lam 5:20.
  2. 13:5 : Ps 38:17.
  3. 13:6 : Ps 116:7.