Psalms 13 "TO HE WHO GRANTS VICTORY A PSALM OF DAVID". <<TO HE WHO GRANTS VICTORY>> This is the interpretation of S.R. Hirsch. In Hebrew it says, "LeMeNatzeach" which could also mean "To the Chief Musician" which is how it is commonly translated. "LeMeNatzeach" literally means "To He who conquers" but it could also connote to he who controls which is what a Chief Musician or musical Conductor does. [Psalms 13:1] HOW LONG WILT THOU FORGET ME, O LORD? FOR EVER? HOW LONG WILT THOU HIDE THY FACE FROM ME? S.R. Hirsch considers this Psalm 13 a kind of introduction to Psalm 14 in which help from the oppressors of Israel and Judah is beseeched. An individual in trouble could also use it. A person who is suffering from trials and tribulations often can feel abandoned and rejected. We all have gone through such experiences at some time or other. [Psalms 13:2] HOW LONG SHALL I TAKE COUNSEL IN MY SOUL, HAVING SORROW IN MY HEART DAILY? HOW LONG SHALL MINE ENEMY BE EXALTED OVER ME? It happens that a person makes enemies, sometimes through his own fault and sometimes for just being what he is. Evil people often hate good ones for no other reason than that they hate goodness. It hurts when your enemy has a hold over you or is even only in a position to exalt over your misfortune, It is even worse when the enemy is able to actively and viciously persecute and pursue after you. Palestinians kill innocent Jews including women and children, mutilate their bodies and then dance in the streets. Sometimes they are rewarded when would be "do-gooders" take their side and give them concessions at the expense of the righteous believers in the promises of the Almighty. [Psalms 13:3] CONSIDER AND HEAR ME, O LORD MY GOD: LIGHTEN MINE EYES, LEST I SLEEP THE SLEEP OF DEATH; Simply put,  help me lest due to the oppression and troubles I am suffering I collapse altogether and die due to sorrow, sickness, or violence. Also a plea for help lest due to the stringency of my position I sin and do something to get out of my position that could result in spiritual death. [Psalms 13:4] LEST MINE ENEMY SAY, I HAVE PREVAILED AGAINST HIM; AND THOSE THAT TROUBLE ME REJOICE WHEN I AM MOVED. Simply put the enemy here is a real physical oppressor the like of which many of us at some time or other have had the misfortune to meet up with. The "enemy" may also be taken to represent our own wicked nature that uses our misfortunes to depress us and turn us away from the good and righteous path. [Psalms 13:5] BUT I HAVE TRUSTED IN THY MERCY; MY HEART SHALL REJOICE IN THY SALVATION. Whatever the case trust in God and you will be benefited with an uplifting of the spirit. Sometimes it only needs a change in attitude to burst forth from darkness into light. [Psalms 13:6] I WILL SING UNTO THE LORD, BECAUSE HE HATH DEALT BOUNTIFULLY WITH ME. <<HATH DEALT BOUNTIFULLY WITH ME>>: Hebrew "gamal" translatable as "requited". It could be that at some time we did a good deed by virtue of which the Almighty miraculously frees us from dire circumstances. We may have done a relatively small thing that we never really thought much of but the Almighty takes the merit that we had, magnifies it greatly and pays it back to us in manifold ways. Through prayer salvation can come through and bounteous blessings. PSALMS INDEX HOME