Psalm 13
St. Peter gives this advice to Christians who are dealing with troubles in this life: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
In Psalm 13, young David casts his great troubles into God?s hands in an interesting way. His prayer is almost an accusation before God of not being faithful to His promises. However, David continues to trust in God, who delivers David from all this.
The first section (verses 1 to 3) is David’s prayer complaining of His need during the time that King Saul’s soldiers were chasing David and his followers. God had promised David that he would be the next king. It did not seem as if that promise would be fulfilled if Saul captured David. Throughout this time, David wondered how long he could hold out hiding from the soldiers and feeding the people following him. On the run, David felt as if God had hidden His face from David. David lived day to day in constant worry and distress, with no interruption in his troubles. The counsels of his heart brought no relief because he did not know how the situation would come out. He was not rebelling against King Saul, yet Saul was hunting David. David did not want to harm the citizens, yet David could not trust them to tell Saul where he was. The enemy may seem to be exalted in power and influence over David.
In spite of these concerns, in section two (verses 3 to 4) David directs his heart (and ours) to the one source of joy and confidence. David asks God to hear his prayer and enlighten him about God’s will. For without God’s help David might die and this would allow David’s enemies to boast. “I have prevailed against him!” David is reminding God that His name and word are also being opposed. As David meditates on God’s work and word, his complaint is changed into a song of praise.
The last section (verses 5 to 6) restates David’s trust in God. In spite of the many times that believers may feel that God is not helping them, they need to recall God’s mercy and salvation in the Messiah, which overcomes all troubles in the world. Amid many troubles, believers can “rejoice in God’s salvation,” His rescue from sin and His deliverance from evil. When believers remember all the abundant blessings God has provided in the past, they know that they will one day sing joyfully to God in thanksgiving for all His benefits, especially the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.