Psalm 13:4

4 lest at any time mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him: my persecutors will exult if ever I should be moved.

Psalm 13:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 13:4

Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him
Which is an argument God takes notice of; and for which reason he does not give up his people into the hands of their enemies; see ( Deuteronomy 32:27 ) . The Chaldee paraphrase interprets this of the evil imagination or corruption of nature, and represents it as a person, as the Apostle Paul does in ( Romans 7:15-21 ) ; and which may be said to prevail, when it pushes on to sin, and hinders doing good, and carries captive; and it may be applied to Satan, the great enemy of God's people, who triumphs over them, when he succeeds in his temptations;

[and] those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved;
meaning from his house and family, from his country and kingdom, from a prosperous state and condition to a distressed one; at which the troublers of David's peace would rejoice. They that trouble the saints are sin, Satan, and the world; and the two last rejoice when they are in an uncomfortable and afflicted condition; and especially Satan rejoices when he gains his point, if it is but to move them from any degree of steadfastness, of faith and hope, or from the ways of God in any respect: the Targum adds, "from thy ways"; for to be moved so as to perish eternally they cannot, being built upon the Rock of ages, and surrounded by the power and grace of God.

Psalm 13:4 In-Context

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrows in my heart daily? how long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Look on me, hearken to me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep in death;

4 lest at any time mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him: my persecutors will exult if ever I should be moved.

5 But I have hoped in thy mercy; my heart shall exult in thy salvation.

6 I will sing to the Lord who has dealt bountifully with me, and I will sing psalms to the name of the Lord most high.