Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 13

How long? ... for ever? —Compare Psalms 74:10; Psalms 79:5; Psalms 89:46. The double question in the Authorised Version is unnecessary, though, as M. Renan (Les Langues Sémitiques, 2 § 4) explains, it shows how poorly the poet has begun writing on one plan, and finished on another. (Compare Psalms 9:3.) Translate, How long will you continue to forget me?

Take counsel. —Literally, put plans to my soul. The plans (Septuagint, βουλὰς) formed in the mind turn to sorrows as they are frustrated. It is, however, so doubtful whether nephesh can stand for the mind, that it is better to render, how long shall I form plans against my soul (having) sorrow in my heart all the day? The next verse confirms the suspicion that suicide had been in the psalmist’s mind.

Daily. —There is a doubt about this rendering; but Symmachus and many moderns also do, relying on Ezekiel 30:16, distresses daily.

Lighten. —Literally, give light to my eyes that I may not go to sleep in death, that is, go to sleep and never wake; “sleep unto death,” as the Septuagint (Compare Psalm 6:5 for the nature of the fear; and for the form of expression, 1 Samuel 14:27, 29).

But I. —Emphatic, but as for me. The most complete peace has taken the place of the despair with which the psalm opens. The rhythm of the Hebrew seems to express the restfulness of the thought. “It has a dying fall.” The Septuagint and Vulgate (compare the Prayer Book version) have an additional clause not found in any manuscript, Yea, I will praise the name of the Lord most high.