Psalm 13 Study Notes

13:3-4 Brightness in the eyes represents vitality and is the opposite of one’s eyes growing dim during times of grief and suffering (6:7; 38:10; Jb 17:7). In this context it is contrasted with death. The enemy was adding to the psalmist’s suffering by proclaiming triumph over him. The statement I am shaken could refer to dying, but it could also be used to indicate defeat. In most contexts it is used with the negative as a statement of the assurance of security: “I will not be shaken” (16:8; 30:6; 62:6).

13:5-6 Even though the question about the time of God’s intervention remained, the psalmist reaffirmed his trust in the Lord’s faithful love. This is the Hebrew word chesed, which is rooted in Yahweh’s covenant with his people; sometimes it is even synonymous with the term covenant (see note at 89:28). The psalmist’s trust was not in himself but in the God of the covenant who promised that he would show faithful love to those who love and obey him (Dt 7:9; Neh 1:5; Dn 9:4).