Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 13:1

"How long, O Jehovah? wilt thou forget me for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?" — Psalms 13:1 (ASV)

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?