I Need a Little Help Here!

Most, if not all of us, have had these moments: looking at what looks like a dead end…a black screen

For old Windows users, the blue screen of death

We seem to be without future; without options; without hope,

We may be facing any one, or any combination of problems/enemies, and seem powerless to get out of the situation

David was in what appeared to be a hopeless situation and writes

It is a psalm of lament

“A cry of sorrow or grief” a vocalization expressing an inner turmoil

Doing this constructively is helpful, in some case needed, to get the mind running right again.

Scholars speculate as to the time frame of this Psalm

Oppression by Saul

Absalom’s conspiracy

Either fits, other circumstances may as well, written during any one of David’s many trials/temptations

20 of these laments, split between individual laments and corporate laments; this is an individual one

We can learn quite a lot from them

The Right Direction

vv. 1-2; he looked to a known source of help; we note again, L O R D

He calls on God by name, God who has been and continues to be, the source of his salvation

Foreshadowing Jesus, the Name above all Names, powerful enough for salvation “even to those who believe on His Name”

He’d been down similar paths; had a history with his God

He asks four variants of the same question: HOW LONG???

From his perspective, God has forgotten him; is hiding His face from him; left him without divine guidance and with a load of sorrow; and in a defeated state

Thus was David’s perspective…God doesn’t see an/or doesn’t care

Derek Kidner says this about the thoughts here are helpful:

Psalms 1–72: An Introduction and Commentary Desolation (13:1, 2)

God’s ‘remembering’ and ‘seeing’ are not states of consciousness but preludes to action

That load of sorrow seems to be the point of the cry, as it fits the definition of lament

David is looking for relief…and, though disappointed in his current situation, a gut-wrenching one, still understands to whom he MUST look for that relief

Even if he is getting somewhat frustrated at how long the relief is taking

The Right Request

vv. 3-4

Notice that he doesn’t tell God how he has to respond; not retribution: “do this to this this guy, that to the other guy....”

He asks that God consider his requests

He asks for the refreshing that comes only from God; he looks to be revived and come through this—whatever this was

Asks to have what appears to be impended death removed from him

He does not want to see his enemies gloat over him (v.4)

The Right Understanding

vv. 5-6

An unnamed psalmist wrote

Psalm 130:5–6 ESV

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

David can wait because, as we see so often in David’s writings, he has a history with God

“I HAVE trusted;” the tense shows it to be completed

In God’s “steadfast love”

Underlying word is hesed

We could fill pages trying to define this (Lexham’s Factbook breaks it into 4 general categories

loyal love — an unfailing kind of love, kindness, or goodness; often used of God’s love that is related to faithfulness to his covenant. Related Topics: Steadfast Love; Loving-Kindness; Devotion; Faithfulness; Loyalty.

favor (feeling)† — a feeling of favorable regard.

kindness (act) — a kind act. Related Topics: Love; Pity; Compassion; Mercy; Benevolence; Kindness.

loveliness† — the quality of being good looking and attractive.

The assumption is that God HAS DONE and will continue to do so

Note the change in tense HAVE trusted; SHALL rejoice

...looking forward with confidence that he would be delivered

“Salvation” is again Y-shu-ah—related to Ye-shu-ah…in so many ways looking forward to the eternal salvation

Then David—often called the Sweet Singer of Israel—makes the statement that he will sing to the Lord

…and the reason

English Standard Version Psalm 13

because he has dealt bountifully with me.

This is a perfect tense—fully completed

CSB translates it generously

Tells us something of the nature of God

His salvation is generous, He is abounding in His goodness

Romans 10:12 ESV

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.

David had called upon God, and had been answered

Making This Personal

Do we get into situations like this…seeing no way out? Of course we do

We must understand that we will fall into trials—we have been warned

James 1:2–3 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

We might say that David’s trial underlying this Psalm was one of the building blocks of his character…certainly of his faith

In an odd way, it’s nice to know that even David had trials

Yes, God’s own people had trials

We still do

Andrew Brunson, an American Pastor imprisoned for 2 years

In his time there he surely went through dark times

Despite the dark times, about half-way through his imprisonment, he wrote:

“Let it be clear. I am in prison not for anything I have done wrong, but because of who I am—a Christian pastor. I believe this to be true: it is an honor to suffer for Jesus Christ, as many have before me.”

No doubt, he asked “How Long”

No doubt, he had a troubled soul

No doubt, it appeared that his enemies were having the triumph

No doubt, the specter of death was very real to him

He came through it…in 24 hours went from his prison cell to the White House

(Book is GOD’S HOSTAGE)

Meanwhile...

Some of us go through longer periods of trouble

It’s critical to recall that trials most often bring along temptation to sin

It could be the base of the sin is to lose our focus on God

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

David’s pattern of behavior, as laid out in this Psalm, is a guide for escape

Face in the RIGHT DIRECTION—God Himself

Make the RIGHT REQUEST—God’s glory be seen

When God’s people triumph, God is glorified!

Have the RIGHT UNDERSTANDING—of God and his salvation