Psalm 13:6 Kommentar

This psalm is the deserted soul's case and cure. Whether it was penned upon any particular occasion does not appear, but in general, I. David sadly complains that God had long withdrawn from him and delayed to relieve him (Psa 13:1, Psa 13:2). II. He earnestly prays to God to consider his case and comfort him (Psa 13:3, Psa 13:4). III. He assures himself of an answer of peace, and therefore concludes the psalm with joy and triumph, because he concludes his deliverance to be as good as wrought (Psa 13:5, Psa 13:6). To the chief musician. A psalm of David.

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 13 To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David. According to Theodoret this psalm was written by David, not when he fled from Saul, but from Absalom; and gives this reason for it, what happened to him from Saul was before his sin, and therefore he could speak with great boldness; but what befell him from Absalom was after it, and therefore mourning and groans were mixed with his words.

I will sing unto the Lord,.... In prayer faith is encouraged, through believing the heart is filled with joy; and this joy is expressed by the lips, in songs of praise to the Lord, ascribing the glory of salvation to him, and giving him thanks for every mercy and blessing of life; because he hath dealt bountifully with me; both in a way of providence and grace, granting life and preserving it, and supporting with the comforts of it; blessing with spiritual blessings, and crowning with loving kindness and tender mercies; all which is generous and bountiful dealing, and affords a just occasion of praise and thanksgiving; see Psa 116:7. Next: Psalms Chapter 14

Hope in God’s mercy, have no doubts, and you will gain your request completely; once gained, however, do not prove ungrateful for the favor and unappreciative but make a record of the kindness and offer it as a thanksgiving song to the Lord.

"My heart shall exult in Your salvation;" in Christ, in the Wisdom of God. "I will sing to the Lord who has given me good things;" spiritual good things, not belonging to man's day. "And I will chant to the name of the Lord most high" [Psalm 13:6]; that is, I give thanks with joy, and in most due order employ my body, which is the song of the spiritual soul. But if any distinction is to be marked here, "I will sing" with the heart, "I will chant" with my works; "to the Lord," that which He alone sees, but "to the name of the Lord," that which is known among men, which is serviceable not for Him, but for us.

The second is prayer or the praise of God; hence he adds, "I will sing to the Lord," that is, I will praise Him. Ps. 21: "You who fear the Lord, praise Him." For the praise of God avails greatly for vanquishing the Devil. Mt. 17: "This kind of demon is not cast out except by prayer and fasting." Hab. 3: "But I will rejoice in the Lord, and I will exult in God my Jesus." And this for benefits received; and so there follows, "who has bestowed good things on me," that is, who bestows good things. Jas. 1: "Every best gift," etc. And he says "good things," because there are certain temporal goods that the Lord bestows. Mt. 25: "He delivered to them his goods, and to one he gave five talents," etc. Likewise, spiritual goods, which are the goods of grace and virtues. 1 Cor. 12: "There are diversities of graces," etc. "All these things one and the same Spirit works, dividing to each one as He wills." Job 2: "If we have received good things from the hand of the Lord," etc. Likewise, the goods of glory. Ps. 26: "I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living." All these good things the Lord bestows; and therefore He is rightly to be praised. Sir. 51: "To Him who gives me wisdom I will give glory." The third is good work, of which is added, "I will play," that is, I will work. To play the psaltery is to strike it with the hand. Jerome: "Always be doing something good, so that the Devil may find you occupied." Mt. 12: "When the unclean spirit goes out of a man," etc., "they enter and dwell there," etc. "And they become," etc. "To the name of the Lord," that is, for the praise of the name of the Lord Most High. Lk. 2: "Glory to God in the highest." Mt. 5: "So let your light shine before men, that they may see," etc.

On title, see Introduction. The Psalmist, mourning God's absence and the triumph of his enemies, prays for relief before he is totally destroyed, and is encouraged to hope his trust will not be in vain. (Psa 13:1-6) The forms of expression and figure here used are frequent (compare Psa 9:12, Psa 9:18; Psa 10:11-12). How long . . . for ever--Shall it be for ever?