Psalm 13

Psalm 13
Ordinary A31

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To the leader.A A PsalmB of David.C

Notes on superscript

A “leader” = natsach. Properly, something that glitters from a distance. So, something that stands out, excels, has status/standing (such as a chief musician or superintendent of Temple services). This can also mean to be permanent or enduring.
B “psalm” = mizmor. From zamar (making music; used specially of music to worship God; music with singing, singing praise, singing psalms); may be from zamar (to trim or prune). This is a melody or a psalm.
C “David” = david. From the same as dod (beloved, love, uncle); the root may mean to boil, which is used figuratively to describe love. So, this implies someone you love such as a friend, a lover, or a close family member like an uncle. David’s name likely means something like “beloved one.”

How long, O Lord?D Will you forgetE me forever?F
    How long will you hideG your face from me?

Notes on verse 1

D “Lord” = YHVH. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (to come to pass, become, be). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.
E “forget” = shakach. This is to forget or mislay – it is not knowing because of forgetfulness or inattentiveness.
F “forever” = netsach. Related to “leader” in superscript. From natsach (see note A above). This is properly a goal or destination as the bright focus to which one journeys. It can be splendor, truthfulness, or confidence. Most often, it refers to everlastingness, always, continually.
G “hide” = sathar. This is hide, conceal, or be absent. It is hiding because something is covered – used in a literal or figurative sense.

2 How long must I bear painH in my soul,I
    and have sorrowJ in my heartK all day long?
How long shall my enemyL be exaltedM over me?

Notes on verse 2

H “pain” = etsah. From yaats (to counsel, advise, determine). This is advice, purpose, plan, prudence, or counselor.
I “soul” = nephesh. Related to naphash (to refresh or be refreshed). This is soul, self, person, emotion. It is a breathing creature. Can also refer to appetites and desires.
J “sorrow” = yagon. 14x in OT. From yagah (to suffer, grieve, afflict). This is grief or sorrow.
K “heart” = lebab. May be related to labab (to encourage; properly, to be encased as with fat; used in a good sense, this means to transport someone with love; used in a bad sense, it can mean to dull one’s senses). This is the heart, courage, one’s inner self, the mind, or the will. Heart is only used in a figurative sense in the Old and New Testaments.
L “enemy” = oyeb. From ayab (this is to hate or be hostile to). This is a foe or enemy as one that you are hostile to.
M “be exalted” = rum. This is to rise or raise, to be high literally or figuratively. So it can also mean to exalt or extol.

ConsiderN and answerO me, O Lord my God!P
    Give lightQ to my eyes, or I will sleepR the sleep of death,S

Notes on verse 3

N “consider” = nabat. This is to behold, look at intently, consider, or scan. It can mean to have respect or regard someone favorably.
O “answer” = anah. This is answer, respond, announce, sing, shout, or testify. It means to pay attention, which implies responding and, by extension, starting to talk. Used in a specific sense for singing, shouting, testifying, etc.
P “God” = Elohim.
Q “give light” = or. This is to light, shine, set on fire – to be luminous in a literal or figurative sense.
R “sleep” = yashen. This is to be languid or go slack. By implication it can mean to sleep, become old or stale, or die.
S “death” = mavet. From muth (to die in a literal or figurative sense). This can be death, deadliness, the dead, or the place where the dead go. It can be used figuratively for pestilence or ruin.

4 and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”;T
    my foesU will rejoiceV because I am shaken.W

Notes on verse 4

T “prevailed” = yakol. This is to be able, endure, overcome, prevail.
U “foes” = tsar. From tsarar (to bind, restrict, narrow, be cramped, an adversary). Properly, this is a narrow or constricted place. Figuratively, it can be trouble, a pebble, an enemy, anguish, or distress.
V “rejoice” = gil. Properly, this is twirling around because of a strong feeling whether of rejoicing or from fear. This can be rejoice, be glad or joyful, or to cry.
W “shaken” = mot. This is to shake, slip, falter, stagger, move, fall, give way, waver, be carried.

But I trustedX in your steadfast love;Y
    my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.Z

I will sing to the Lord,
    because he has dealt bountifullyAA with me.

Notes on verses 5-6

X “trusted” = batach. This is to hide for refuge, be secure or sure. Figuratively, it refers to trust, being confident, or hoping.
Y “steadfast love” = chesed. From chasad (being good, kind, merciful; may mean bowing one’s neck as is done in the presence of an equal for courtesy’s sake; so, if one in a superior position is treating you like an equal, that is what is captured here). This is favor, goodness, kindness, loving kindness, pity, reproach, or a good deed. When done by God to humanity, this is mercy/loving kindness. When done by humanity to God, it is piety.
Z “salvation” = yeshuah. From yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue, be safe. Properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. Used causatively, it means to free). This is salvation, deliverance, health, victory, prosperity.
AA “dealt bountifully” = gamal. This is how one deals with someone whether positively or negatively – so to reward, requite. It can also mean to wean or the work that goes into something ripening.


Image credit: “Prayer” by Mike Moyers, 2014.

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