Our minds are a tricky place. It’s like quicksand. It pulls us to do the wrong thing. We can give up hope or we can become angry at our own weakness and ask HaShem (G-d) for help. Psalm 13 gives us hope and support. First, we see that we are not alone. Every person struggles within their own situation. Second, by allowing HaShem to see into our hearts, we come to the realization that He is, in fact, the source of our salvation.
- Text Psalm 13
- The Hebrew text of Psalm 13 – תהילים יג
- Listen to Psalm 13
- Commentary on Psalm 13 by Rabbi Yitzchok Rubin
- Rashi’s commentary on Psalm 13
- Further explanation of the above Jewish comments
- Psalm 1 to 92
Text Psalm 13
How long, O Lord, will You forget me? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall my soul be tormented with sorrows, and my heart be overwhelmed with sorrow, day after day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
……….I trust in Your love, my heart will rejoice because You bring salvation, I will sing to the Eternal, He has helped me.
The Hebrew text of Psalm 13 – תהילים יג
A to sing a psalm to David. Until now, Jehovah, forget me forever, until now hide your face from me. 3 Until now I have counseled in my soul, sorrow in my heart forever, until my enemy rises up against me. D. The cloud of Jehovah my God looked upon me, the light of my eyes was the face of death. He will say, My enemies will find out that I will die. And I, in your grace, trust that my heart will show in your salvation riches to Jehovah, because he has mercy on me.
Listen to Psalm 13
Listen to Psalm 13 in Hebrew.
Commentary on Psalm 13 by Rabbi Yitzchok Rubin
lifelong conflict of human nature
Psalm 13 can be understood as a lifelong conflict of our human nature. King David cries out, “How long, O Lord? Will You always forget me? How long will You hide Your face from me?” Every day we promise to become a better person. We ask HaShem (G-d) for help. ,How long shall I cherish plans in my soul, and sorrow in my heart, day by day? How long shall my enemy exalt himself above me?,
changed patterns of our mind
It is said four times: ‘How long?’ This indicates the changed patterns of our mind. Each set of ‘crystals’ cries out for HaShem’s help. Even when we do wrong, we know HaShem is with us. Our souls cry out from the depths that seemingly darken our vision of the will of HaShem
salvation. This cry is the beginning of our salvation. Look at my anxious life and answer me, HaShem. When we are aware that we are indeed vulnerable and capable of such wide fluctuations of desires, then we are on the path of salvation. We can ask HaShem to look at our problems and bring light into our eyes.
tricky Our mind is a tricky place. It’s like quicksand. It pulls us to do the wrong thing. We can give up hope or we can become angry at our own weakness and ask HaShem for help.
hope and support Psalm 13 gives us hope and support. First, we see that we are not alone. Every person struggles within their own situation. Second, by allowing HaShem to see into our hearts, we come to the realization that He is, in fact, the source of our salvation.
That is why Psalm 13 ends with the words: ,I trust in your lovingkindness; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has done me good.,
overcoming weaknesses This Psalm gives us eternal support. It gives us hope and encouragement despite the inner struggle we face. We can overcome our weaknesses and sing praises to the Lord.
Rashi’s commentary on Psalm 13
Per verse the commentary of Rashi, the Jewish Bible commentator who lived from 1040-1105. Rashi is considered the teacher of teachers. All traditional Jews regard Rashi as an authority on the Jewish Bible and Talmud. Hence it is important to record his commentary on the Psalms. Rashi uses new Hebrew supplemented with Old French words. His language is sometimes somewhat oracularly short. For further explanation it is wise to consult an orthodox Jewish rabbi.
Verse 1
For the conductor, a song by David.
How long : Four times, corresponding to the four kingdoms [Babylon, Persia, Greece and Edom] and it is said about all Israel.
Verse 4
Look and answer me, O Lord my God; enlighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.
lest I sleep the sleep of death : For death is called sleep (as in Jeremiah 51:39): ,and sleep an everlasting sleep.,
Further explanation of the above Jewish comments
Since the Fall of Adam, man has been involved in an internal struggle between good and evil. The Tree of Life that stood in Paradise later became the Torah. This can free man from her condition of sin. With the Torah, evil can be transformed into good. This is the remedy for the bad tendency. Observing the Torah means serving G-d. Only He can resolve our inner conflicts. He gives us insight and ensures that we do not do the wrong thing. It is also good to realize that we are not the only ones struggling. Every person struggles within their own situation. So we don’t have to point our fingers at other people who we think are better off.
Psalm 1 to 92
Would you like to read more Psalms with a Jewish interpretation? Go to: Psalms 1 through 92.