The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 13:6

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

I will sing unto the Lord. I will exchange my cry of despair, "How long?" (Psalms 13:1, Psalms 13:2), for a joyful song of thanksgiving; because already I am cheered, I am revived—he (i.e. the Lord) hath dealt bountifully with me. And this mental revival is an assurance of deliverance to come.

HOMILETICS

Psalms 13:1, Psalms 13:6

Despair turned to thankfulness.

"How long," etc.? "I will sing," etc. The last verse of this tender and beautiful little psalm contains the reply to the first. Despondency is turned into thankfulness; the prayer of anguish into the song of praise. Its music, beginning with a plaintive, pathetic minor, passes through a solemn strain of pleading prayer into the triumphant major of full-voiced faith and joy. This is the music to which many a Christian life is set. It is not a strictly prophetic psalm; but we may well suppose that it is one of those in which the "Man of sorrows" read his own experience.

I. DAVID'S PATHETIC APPEAL. "How long," etc.? Two questions run into one. It had endured so long, he felt as if it must go on for ever. The flame of hope flickered in the socket. Total darkness seemed at hand. Did David really think God had forgotten him? No; but he felt as if it were so. "Not that faith in God's promises was dead in his soul, or that he no longer relied on his grace; but that, when troubles long press upon us, and no token of Divine help appears, this thought cannot fail to thrust itself into our mind, 'God has forgotten me'" (Calvin). Causes of his despondency.

1. The long continuance of his trouble.

2. Prayer seeming to remain unanswered.

3. His foes' exaltation.

4. Fear lest he should die before deliverance came (see 1 Samuel 27:1).

II. DAVID'S JOYFUL THANKSGIVING. "I will sing," etc. Light suddenly breaks out of darkness. What is the secret of this surprising change? Have his troubles ceased? Not at all. But that which made their worst bitterness is gone—his doubt of God's goodness and truth. In the very act of prayer, his mind is led out of himself, and faith rekindled. "The grace of God, which is hid from carnal apprehension, is grasped by faith" (Calvin). Despair said, "Faith is an illusion. I have trusted and am forsaken." Faith answers, "God is faithful. I have trusted; therefore I cannot be forsaken."

HOMILIES BY C. CLEMANCE

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