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Psalm 13:3
Behold, and answer me, LORD, my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
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;
4lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him;” lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall.
5But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation.
Notice
The plea for light in failing eyes makes this prayer urgent: David fears death and asks the God who seems absent to look and answer.
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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
Psalm 34:5They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.Both passages connect turning toward God with light in a person’s appearance: David asks for it, while Psalm 34 describes radiance.
Ezra 9:8Now for a little moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a stake in his holy place, that our God may …Both passages link light in the eyes with renewed life from God amid distress.
Psalm 18:28For you will light my lamp, LORD. My God will light up my darkness.David asks God for light in his eyes here; Psalm 18 expresses confidence that God will light his darkness.
Jeremiah 51:39When they are inflamed, I will make their feast, and I will make them drunk, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake up,” says the …Both passages describe death through sleep, though David pleads to escape it and Jeremiah announces the LORD’s judgment.
Psalm 5:1For the Chief Musician, with the flutes. A Psalm by David. Give ear to my words, LORD. Consider my meditation.Both prayers ask the LORD to attend to the speaker, seeking his notice through direct appeals.
1 Samuel 14:29Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. Please look how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.Brightened eyes connect the passages: David asks God for light, while Jonathan describes the effect of tasting honey.
Psalm 19:8The LORD’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. The LORD’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.Both passages associate God with light for the eyes; Psalm 19 names the LORD’s commandment as enlightening them.
1 Samuel 14:27But Jonathan didn’t hear when his father commanded the people with the oath. Therefore he put out the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in the …Both passages mention light or brightness in the eyes, though Jonathan’s eyes brighten after eating honey and David addresses God.
Proverbs 29:13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.Both passages connect the eyes with the LORD’s giving: David asks for light, and Proverbs names God as the giver of sight.
Luke 2:32a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”Light is the shared image: David asks for light in his eyes, while Luke speaks of light for revelation to nations.
Lamentations 5:1Remember, LORD, what has come on us. Look, and see our reproach.Both prayers ask the LORD to look upon distress, with David seeking an answer and Lamentations naming the people’s reproach.
Jeremiah 51:57I will make her princes, her wise men, her governors, her deputies, and her mighty men drunk. They will sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake up,” says the …The sleep David fears becomes an announced judgment on rulers in Jeremiah; both passages speak of sleep as death.
Where this verse fits
Feeling distant from God. illness or diagnosis. death and what comes after.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
David still says “my God” while fearing death and waiting for an answer. Your prayer can name danger without resolving it; his plea depends on God for life.
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).