Desolation to Delight

Desolation to Delight

Psalm 13

I. Desolation. (1-2)…the problem he feels he is facing

A. How long will You forget me, O Lord? …FOREVER?!?!?!?

B. How long will You hide Your face from me?

C. How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?

D. How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

The statements may be hypothetical but the feelings are real

II. Supplication. (3-4) …his plea

A. Consider and hear me, O Lord my God.

B. Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.

C. Don’t let my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him.”

D. Do not let those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

As we have seen in other Psalms this is the critical point….switching focus

III. Delight. (5-6) …worship

A. I have trusted in Thy mercy.

B. My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.

C. I will sing unto the Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully with me.

Praise takes our mind off our problems

Study Questions And Notes On Psalm 13

1. Can God really forget you? See Isaiah 49:14-16.

2. What is the psalmist’s basic problem in this psalm? (1-2)

Focus on self

3. What is his plea and for what reasons is it made? (3-4)

He wants God to show himself powerful

He wants God to be real in his life

4. For what reasons does he praise God? (5-6)

Salvation in God

The bounty God provides

The pain and questions of 1-2 bring prayers 3-4….these seem to draw out the praise in 5-6

5. List the four “how longs” in verses 1-2. Have you ever asked these questions? How did God answer you?

6. Application: What do you learn from this psalm that will help you become a person after God’s own heart?