The Complaint, the Cry, the Confession

Series on the Psalms

Text: Psalm 13

Title: The Complaint, the Cry, the Confession

Introduction

This Psalm of David falls into the general category of complaint. Although the exact occasion is unknown, many of these Psalms appear to be from that period of David’s life in which he was an outcast, pursued and persecuted by Saul. We cannot and ought not to limit its application to those circumstances since there may be many times and places in which these sentiments could be expressed. The Psalm follows a common pattern of a complaint formulated, crying out to the Lord from the depths for deliverance and then an affirmation of confidence. We ought to draw some general principles of instruction in prayer from this oft repeated pattern. First God is pleased to have us be open in prayer and is patient with our complaints. Though he has a timetable, he understands our impatience. Secondly, the delays of deliverance which occur in life are not accidental but intentional and they occur in order that we may become more diligent, ardent, and fervent in prayer. Finally, the expressions of confidence show that the real value in prayer is not always immediate gratification, but the alignment of the believer with God’s promised purpose. David frequently continues in trial but he does so with a renewed faith in God. His orientation is changed and his perspective is altered. Let us consider first the complaint

I. The Complaint

Spurgeon calls this the howling Psalm because in verses 1 and 2 David says four times How Long? How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Do you think God got the point? I can’t take this anymore! Numberless saints have said the same thing. The opening words “How Long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” are not bad theology on the part of David. They are hyperbole of the kind that we use all the time. For example, someone in your family says, “Aren’t we EVER going to eat?” Or your child who has been waiting to go on a special trip says, “You’re NEVER going to take me there!” David knew God’s promise was eternal and that his purpose stands firm. David knew the truth later expressed in Isaiah 49: 15 and 16, But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me and my Lord has forgotten me,’ Can a woman forget her nursing child and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands. Isaiah uses the exact same Hebrew word that is used so often in the Psalms either to affirm that the Lord will not forget his people, or to complain as in our Psalm. This word appears to be mostly reserved for affirming that God will keep his covenant promises. David knew and we know that God is faithful to his word. David speaks out of frustration because as he echoes these words, “how long,” he points up that his trial continues (my enemy triumphs), that his thoughts are in turmoil (I wrestle and have sorrow) and that it appears that God is not blessing him (Your face is hidden). He knows God cannot be frustrated in his purpose. David wants deliverance now, and this is exactly what we experience.

II. The Cry

It is extremely important that we see the precise nature of David’s complaint as pertaining to the present duration of his trial. This is reinforced by his cry for help. When he pleads for God to look on him in verses 3 and 4 he is attempting to excite the sympathy of the Lord, Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. This is quite appropriate. In II Kings 20:5 and Isaiah 38:5 God says to Hezekiah, I have heard your prayer and seen your tears, I will heal you. David himself says in Psalm 56 when he was a prisoner of the Philistines, You number my wanderings, put my tears into your bottle, are they not in your book? God who has the hairs on our head numbered also has every tear counted. Not only does David elicit God’s sympathy but he argues for God’s reputation. Do not let my enemies, who are also your enemies rejoice over me. This they will surely be able to do if I die. When David says lighten my eyes, this is a metaphor for relieve my pain and suffering. My eyes are closing from discouragement and depression. They are downcast. Lift them up lest I continue down to death. Obviously David is praying for a temporal deliverance. He wants God’s vindication now the same as we do. The issue here was never whether God’s purpose would ultimately be fulfilled, but whether it would be fulfilled in David now. All of this is important because it helps us to understand the real value of prayer. There is no indication that David received immediate deliverance. In fact the number of these songs which treat of the same theme forcefully reminds us that he endured for a prolonged period and wrote many complaints to the Lord. What did happen is that David was fortified and encouraged in his trial. This is the essence of his confession.

III. The Confession

Notice the confession in verses 5 and 6 is personal, But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me. Everything is focused on David’s experience here. It is written in the first person. I have trusted, My heart rejoices, I will sing, you have dealt bountifully with me. What has changed here? It is not the situation which has changed but the man. Mercy brings trust, trust brings joy, joy brings a song, and the theme of the song is God’s goodness. David’s mind moves from his misery to his master. The first thought that comes to mind is that God is merciful and from that point on there is a chain of transformation. If God is merciful he will not forget. This brings joy and ultimately a song of praise. The man who was crying is now singing. If we didn’t know better we would have to assume these are two different men, but they are not. Rather it is the grace of God transforming us through prayer. In our time we have more reason to trust in the Lord and rejoice in his salvation because of Christ.

Summary of Psalm 13

David’s complaint in Psalm 13 is a plea for present deliverance from his trial because he senses he is about to collapse under the pressure. His desperation is reflected in his suggestion that God has forgotten him. His frantic cry for release solicits both God’s compassion and the fulfillment of God’s purpose. His prayer transforms his perspective as he patiently finds comfort in the mercy of the Lord and celebrates his salvation.