Psalm 13

Psalm 13 is one of a number of Psalms which move from a state of anguish to a state of assurance and peace. This is a unique feature of the biblical psalms (in the context of Ancient Near Eastern prayer practices) and is a testimony to the reality and intimacy of the relationship that the psalmists enjoyed. The childlike boldness of this prayer hinges on God’s covenant commitment to his people. Without this there is no ground for hope in God and therefore nothing to encourage such a tenacious appeal. But because God promised to save and bless his people when they turned to him, the psalmist can therefore boldly complain when God seems absent and inactive. The covenant promise is also then the ground for the level of assurance that brings such stunning stillness to the soul of the psalmist by the end of the prayer. All this demonstrates that biblical faith involves real relational interaction with a living God who is committed to his people. We see here that prayer really changes things. Our prayer may not always bring immediate change to our circumstances, but it will always change us and therefore change the way we relate to our circumstances. That is what we see here in Psalm 13. The Psalm begins where we often find ourselves; swept about by the storms of life. But the exercise of a bold faith leads the psalmist, despite his terrible circumstances, to a tranquillity of heart that is nothing short of miraculous.