Salmos 13
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 13:1-2
13:1-2 Notice the structure of this introductory strophe, four "how long" (BDB 723 II, cf. Ps. 6:3; 90:13) questions. two in Ps. 13:1 two in Ps. 13:2 They are a literary way of expressing the psalmist's frustration at his current circumstances. He felt abandoned by God. forgotten by God, Ps. 13:1a God has hidden Himself, Ps. 13:1b (cf. Ps. 44:24; 89:46) personal sorrow, Ps. 13:2a,b his enemy is exalted, Ps. 13:2c Notice #1 and #2 also appear together in Ps. 10:11. The theme of a sense of abandonment is beautifully expressed in Psalm 42. The sense of abandonment is only the perception of the hurting psalmist. The reality is YHWH is with us, for us, and will act on our behalf in appropriate, timely ways! 13:1 "forever" This word (BDB 664) is a hyperbolic idiom expressing the psalmist's feelings of being permanently abandoned by God. Notice the word play between "guard" (BDB 665), Ps. 12:7, and the Psalmist's sense that YHWH is not "guarding" but abandoning him." ▣ "face" This, too, is a Hebrew idiom of personal presence (cf. Ps. 11:7; 17:15; 27:4,8). For some reason (i.e., personal sin, cf. Ps. 13:3b or illness, 3b) YHWH has seemingly turned away. 13:2 "soul. . .heart" These two are parallel and denote Hebrew ways of personifying the person. For "soul" (nephesh) see note at Gen. 35:18 online. SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART ▣ "all the day" This idiom means "all the time." This does not mean that the sorrow lasts only during daylight hours.
Salmos 13:5-6
13:5-6 This is the psalmist's declaration of faith/trust/belief in YHWH. I have trusted (BDB 105, KB 120, Qal PERFECT) in Your lovingkindness (see SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS). Trust is a crucial aspect of a true believer (cf. Ps. 25:5; 42:5; 65:5; 78:22; 86:2). See full note at Ps. 4:5. I will rejoice (BDB 162, KB 189, Qal JUSSIVE) in Your salvation (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT Term)), which in context, refers to health restored. I will sing (BDB 1010, KB 1479, Qal COHORTATIVE). In Hebrew thought death was a descent into Sheol, where no one praises God (cf. Ps. 6:5; 30:9; 88:10-12; 115:17; Isa. 38:18). See notes at Ps. 6:5 and 9:13. The psalmist bases his trust on YHWH's character and actions (i.e., "dealt bountifully with me," BDB 168, KB 197, Qal PERFECT). SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD? I. B. 13:6 "has dealt bountifully with me" This VERB (BDB 168, KB 197, Qal PERFECT) is used several times in Psalms (cf. Ps. 116:7; 119:17; 142:7). This PERFECT form denotes the psalmist's certainty that YHWH will act on his behalf in the future and, therefore, states it as if it had already occurred. ▣ "with me" Interestingly the LXX translates this as a title for God—"the Most High" (cf. NJB). This same change may also occur at Ps. 7:8.
Salmos 13:13
13:3-4 This strophe is a prayer for God to answer his prayer questions of Ps. 13:1-2. There is a series of three IMPERATIVES (i.e., prayer requests). consider (lit. "look") ‒ BDB 613, KB 661, Hiphil IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 80:14; Lam. 1:11; 2:20; 5:1 answer ‒ BDB 772, KB 851, Qal IMPERATIVE enlighten (lit. "cause to shine") ‒ BDB 21, KB 24, Hiphil IMPERATIVE; this may be used in the sense of God answer my prayer with knowledge of your revelation (cf. Ps. 6:7; 19:8) God deliver me from death (cf. Ps. 38:10) Also notice that NASB has "lest" three times (MT, BDB 814, twice). lest I die lest my enemy brag lest my adversaries rejoice 13:3 "O Lord" This is the covenant name for Israel's God (see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.) ▣ "my God" This is the SINGULAR form of Elohim, God as Creator, Sustainer, and Provider of all life on this planet (see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C.