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Psalm 13:1
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
2How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me?
3Behold, and answer me, LORD, my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
Notice
The word “forever” captures the fear that a long silence from God might never end, while David keeps addressing YHWH who seems hidden.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
Where has waiting begun to feel like being forgotten by God?
Write on thisWhat would you want to say to God about the fear carried in David’s word “forever”?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Job 13:24Why do you hide your face, and consider me your enemy?Both David and Job ask God why his face is hidden, speaking to him from distress.
Lamentations 5:20Why do you forget us forever, and forsake us for so long a time?Both prayers ask whether God has forgotten those addressing him, joining the fear of abandonment to the strain of waiting.
Psalm 89:46How long, LORD? Will you hide yourself forever? Will your wrath burn like fire?Both psalms ask how long the LORD will remain hidden and whether that hiding will last forever.
Psalm 94:3–4LORD, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?Both prayers ask the LORD how long distress will continue; Psalm 94 names the triumph of the wicked.
Psalm 22:1–2For the Chief Musician; set to “The Doe of the Morning.” A Psalm by David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and …Both psalms address God through questions about his apparent absence, with David fearing abandonment and seeking his attention.
Psalm 80:4LORD God of Armies, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people?Both prayers ask the LORD how long, though Psalm 80 names anger while Psalm 13 asks about being forgotten.
Isaiah 59:2But your iniquities have separated you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.Both texts speak of God’s hidden face; Isaiah names sin as the cause, while David’s question gives no cause.
Deuteronomy 31:17Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils …Both passages speak of God hiding his face; Deuteronomy describes declared judgment, while David asks how long God will remain hidden.
Isaiah 54:8In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting loving kindness I will have mercy on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.Both texts speak of God hiding his face; David fears forever, while Isaiah describes a moment and promises mercy.
Job 19:2“How long will you torment me, and crush me with words?Both speakers ask how long their distress will last, though Job addresses those tormenting him and David addresses God.
Job 34:29When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? He is over a nation or a man alike,Both passages describe God hiding his face, with David asking about duration and Job’s passage asking who can see him.
Revelation 6:10They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”Both cries ask God how long the wait will last; Revelation’s speakers seek judgment and vengeance for their blood.
Where this verse fits
Feeling distant from God. waiting. grief.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
You do not have to soften a hard question before bringing it to God. David’s fear of being forgotten is spoken to YHWH himself.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).