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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 13:1 How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/13-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/19_Psa_013_001.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 13:1 - How Long, O LORD?" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? 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A psalm of David. How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/13.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the music director. A Psalm of David. How long, LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For the choir director. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />How long, O LORD? Wilt Thou forget me forever? How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For the choir director. A Psalm of David. How long, O Yahweh? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the choir director. A psalm of David. How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. LORD, how long will You forget me? Forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. How long, O Jehovah? wilt thou forget me for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />How much longer, LORD, will you forget about me? Will it be forever? How long will you hide? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD, wilt thou forget me for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[For the choir director; a psalm by David.] How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How much longer will you forget me, LORD? Forever? How much longer will you hide yourself from me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />How long? LORD, will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For the music director; a psalm of David. How long, LORD, will you continue to ignore me? How long will you pay no attention to me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />[For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.] How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. How long, Yahweh? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />TO THE OVERSEER. A PSALM OF DAVID. Until when, O YHWH, "" Do You forget me forever? Until when do You hide Your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> To the Overseer. -- A Psalm of David. Till when, O Jehovah, Dost Thou forget me? -- for ever? Till when dost Thou hide Thy face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />To the overseer; chanting of David.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Unto the end, a psalm for David. How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me unto the end? how long dost thou turn away thy face from me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 12:1>Unto the end. A Psalm of David. How long, O Lord? Will you forget me until the end? How long will you turn your face away from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For the leader. A psalm of David. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />HOW long, O LORD, wilt thou forsake me? For ever? How long wilt thou turn away thy face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />How long will you ignore me, LORD JEHOVAH? Forever? How long will you turn your face from me?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For the Leader. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD, wilt Thou forget me for ever? How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For the end, a Psalm of David. How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me? for ever? how long wilt thou turn away thy face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/13-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=1095" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/13.htm">How Long, O LORD?</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5329.htm" title="5329: lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ (Prep-l, Art:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- Preeminent or enduring. A primitive root; properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. To be eminent; also, to be permanent.">For the choirmaster.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4210.htm" title="4210: miz·mō·wr (N-ms) -- A melody. From zamar; properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes.">A Psalm</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: lə·ḏā·wiḏ (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">of David.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree."> How long,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">O LORD?</a> <a href="/hebrew/7911.htm" title="7911: tiš·kā·ḥê·nî (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 1cs) -- To forget. Or shakeach; a primitive root; to mislay, i.e. To be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention.">Will You forget</a> <a href="/hebrew/575.htm" title="575: ’ā·nāh (Adv) -- Where? whither?. Or manah; contracted from 'aiyn; where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither.">me</a> <a href="/hebrew/5331.htm" title="5331: ne·ṣaḥ (N-ms) -- Eminence, enduring, everlastingness, perpetuity. ">forever?</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">How long</a> <a href="/hebrew/575.htm" title="575: ’ā·nāh (Adv) -- Where? whither?. Or manah; contracted from 'aiyn; where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5641.htm" title="5641: tas·tîr (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- To hide, conceal. A primitive root; to hide, literally or figuratively.">will You hide</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pā·ne·ḵā (N-cpc:: 2ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">Your face</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nî (Prep:: 1cs) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from me?</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/22-1.htm">Psalm 22:1</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/42-9.htm">Psalm 42:9</a></span><br />I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/77-7.htm">Psalm 77:7-9</a></span><br />“Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again? / Is His loving devotion gone forever? Has His promise failed for all time? / Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/89-46.htm">Psalm 89:46</a></span><br />How long, O LORD? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath keep burning like fire?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-1.htm">Psalm 10:1</a></span><br />Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide in times of trouble?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/44-24.htm">Psalm 44:24</a></span><br />Why do You hide Your face and forget our affliction and oppression?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/74-1.htm">Psalm 74:1</a></span><br />A Maskil of Asaph. Why have You rejected us forever, O God? Why does Your anger smolder against the sheep of Your pasture?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/88-14.htm">Psalm 88:14</a></span><br />Why, O LORD, do You reject me? Why do You hide Your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/13-24.htm">Job 13:24</a></span><br />Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/5-20.htm">Lamentations 5:20</a></span><br />Why have You forgotten us forever? Why have You forsaken us for so long?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-14.htm">Isaiah 49:14</a></span><br />But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-2.htm">Habakkuk 1:2</a></span><br />How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-46.htm">Matthew 27:46</a></span><br />About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-34.htm">Mark 15:34</a></span><br />At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31-39</a></span><br />What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? / He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? / Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">How long will you forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long will you hide your face from me?</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/6-3.htm">Psalm 6:3</a></b></br> My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/35-17.htm">Psalm 35:17</a></b></br> Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/74-1.htm">Psalm 74:1</a></b></br> Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast <i>us</i> off for ever? <i>why</i> doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?</p><p class="hdg">forget</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/10-12.htm">Psalm 10:12</a></b></br> Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/5-20.htm">Lamentations 5:20</a></b></br> Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, <i>and</i> forsake us so long time?</p><p class="hdg">wilt thou hide</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/22-1.htm">Psalm 22:1,2</a></b></br> To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? <i>why art thou so</i> far from helping me, <i>and from</i> the words of my roaring? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/31-17.htm">Deuteronomy 31:17</a></b></br> Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God <i>is</i> not among us?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/13-24.htm">Job 13:24</a></b></br> Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/12-8.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/psalms/12-1.htm">Choirmaster</a> <a href="/psalms/12-8.htm">David</a> <a href="/psalms/12-1.htm">Director</a> <a href="/psalms/11-7.htm">Face</a> <a href="/psalms/12-7.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/psalms/10-12.htm">Forget</a> <a href="/psalms/10-1.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/psalms/11-1.htm">Leader</a> <a href="/psalms/10-11.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/psalms/12-1.htm">Music</a> <a href="/psalms/12-8.htm">Musician</a> <a href="/psalms/11-1.htm">Music-Maker</a> <a href="/psalms/12-1.htm">Overseer</a> <a href="/psalms/12-8.htm">Psalm</a> <a href="/psalms/10-11.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/psalms/12-7.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/13-6.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/psalms/14-1.htm">Choirmaster</a> <a href="/psalms/13-6.htm">David</a> <a href="/psalms/14-1.htm">Director</a> <a href="/psalms/17-9.htm">Face</a> <a href="/psalms/16-11.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/psalms/44-17.htm">Forget</a> <a href="/psalms/17-8.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/psalms/14-1.htm">Leader</a> <a href="/psalms/25-7.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/psalms/14-1.htm">Music</a> <a href="/psalms/13-6.htm">Musician</a> <a href="/psalms/14-1.htm">Music-Maker</a> <a href="/psalms/20-1.htm">Overseer</a> <a href="/psalms/13-6.htm">Psalm</a> <a href="/psalms/14-3.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/psalms/16-10.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/13-1.htm">David complains of delay</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/13-3.htm">He prays for preventing grace</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/13-5.htm">He boasts of divine mercy</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.</b><br>This introduction indicates that the psalm was intended for public worship, directed by the choirmaster, a leader in the musical aspects of temple worship. David, the author, was not only a king but also a skilled musician and poet. This psalm is part of a collection attributed to him, reflecting his personal experiences and relationship with God. The role of the choirmaster highlights the organized and communal nature of worship in ancient Israel, where music played a significant role in expressing faith and lament.<p><b>How long, O LORD?</b><br>This phrase captures a deep sense of urgency and distress. The repetition of "How long" throughout the psalm emphasizes the intensity of David's plea. It reflects a common theme in the Psalms where the psalmist cries out to God in times of trouble, seeking relief and understanding. This question is not just about the passage of time but also about the perceived delay in God's intervention. It resonates with the human experience of waiting on God and the struggle with patience and faith during difficult times.<p><b>Will You forget me forever?</b><br>David expresses a feeling of abandonment, a common sentiment in the lament psalms. The idea of God forgetting His people is a powerful metaphor for divine silence or inaction. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, memory was associated with action; to be forgotten by God implied a lack of divine intervention or blessing. This phrase also connects to other biblical passages where God remembers His covenant with His people, such as in <a href="/genesis/8.htm">Genesis 8:1</a> and <a href="/exodus/2-24.htm">Exodus 2:24</a>, providing hope that God’s apparent forgetfulness is not permanent.<p><b>How long will You hide Your face from me?</b><br>The imagery of God hiding His face suggests a withdrawal of His presence and favor. In biblical terms, God's face represents His attention and blessing, as seen in the Aaronic blessing in <a href="/numbers/6-24.htm">Numbers 6:24-26</a>. The hiding of God's face is often associated with judgment or discipline, as in <a href="/deuteronomy/31-17.htm">Deuteronomy 31:17-18</a>. David's use of this phrase indicates a deep longing for restored fellowship and divine favor. It also foreshadows the ultimate restoration of God's presence through Jesus Christ, who, on the cross, experienced the feeling of God’s face being hidden, as seen in <a href="/matthew/27-46.htm">Matthew 27:46</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of this psalm, David is expressing a deep sense of abandonment and longing for God's presence. He is often seen as a man after God's own heart, yet he experiences moments of despair and questioning.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, indicating a personal and relational aspect. David is addressing God directly, showing his faith even in times of doubt.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_event_of_lament.htm">The Event of Lament</a></b><br>This psalm is a personal lament, a common form of prayer in the Psalms where the psalmist cries out to God in distress.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_spiritual_despair.htm">The Reality of Spiritual Despair</a></b><br>Even the most faithful believers can experience times of feeling forgotten by God. This is a normal part of the spiritual journey and not necessarily a sign of weak faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_honest_prayer.htm">The Importance of Honest Prayer</a></b><br>David's raw and honest questioning of God teaches us that we can bring our deepest fears and doubts to God in prayer. God desires authenticity in our relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_in_god's_timing.htm">Trusting in God's Timing</a></b><br>While we may feel forgotten, God's timing is perfect. Our understanding is limited, but we are called to trust in His sovereign plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_presence.htm">Seeking God's Presence</a></b><br>In times of feeling abandoned, we should actively seek God's presence through prayer, worship, and Scripture, trusting that He is near even when He seems distant.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_hope_of_deliverance.htm">The Hope of Deliverance</a></b><br>The psalm ultimately moves from despair to hope, reminding us that God is faithful to deliver and restore us in His time.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_psalm_13's_distress.htm">Where is the historical or archaeological evidence that supports the specific distress described in Psalm 13? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_it_wrong_to_question_the_bible.htm">Is questioning the Bible's teachings wrong?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_god_disappointment.htm">What does the Bible say about disappointment with God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_christians_feel_distant_from_god.htm">Why do many Christians feel distant from God even when they pray and follow His commands?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) <span class= "bld">How long? . . .</span> <span class= "bld">for ever?</span>--Comp. <a href="/psalms/74-10.htm" title="O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme your name for ever?">Psalm 74:10</a>; <a href="/psalms/79-5.htm" title="How long, LORD? will you be angry for ever? shall your jealousy burn like fire?">Psalm 79:5</a>; <a href="/psalms/89-46.htm" title="How long, LORD? will you hide yourself for ever? shall your wrath burn like fire?">Psalm 89:46</a>. The double question in the Authorised Version is unnecessary, though, as M. Renan (<span class= "ital">Les Langues Semitiques, </span>2 ? 4) explains, it shows how ill writing the poet has begun on one plan, and finished on another. (Comp. <a href="/psalms/9-3.htm" title="When my enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at your presence.">Psalm 9:3</a>.) Translate, "How long wilt thou continue to forget me?"<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord?</span> <span class="cmt_word">for ever?</span> God cannot forget, but man often feels as if he were forgotten of him (comp. <a href="/psalms/42-9.htm">Psalm 42:9</a>; <a href="/psalms/44-24.htm">Psalm 44:24</a>; <a href="/lamentations/5-20.htm">Lamentations 5:20</a>). David seems to have feared that God had forgotten him "for ever." How long wilt then hide thy face from me! (comp. <a href="/psalms/30-7.htm">Psalm 30:7</a>; <a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Isaiah 1:15</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/39-29.htm">Ezekiel 39:29</a>). The "light of God's countenance" shining on us is the greatest blessing that we know (see <a href="/psalms/4-6.htm">Psalm 4:6</a>; <a href="/psalms/31-18.htm">Psalm 31:18</a>; <a href="/psalms/44-4.htm">Psalm 44:4</a>; <a href="/psalms/67-1.htm">Psalm 67:1</a>; <a href="/psalms/80-3.htm">Psalm 80:3, 7</a>. etc.). When it is withdrawn, and he "hides his face," we naturally sink into despair. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/13-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For the choirmaster.</span><br /><span class="heb">לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ</span> <span class="translit">(lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5329.htm">Strong's 5329: </a> </span><span class="str2">To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">A Psalm</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזְמ֥וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(miz·mō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4210.htm">Strong's 4210: </a> </span><span class="str2">Instrumental music, a poem set to notes</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of David.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְדָוִֽד׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḏā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">How long,</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O LORD?</span><br /><span class="heb">יְ֭הוָה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Will You forget</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּשְׁכָּחֵ֣נִי</span> <span class="translit">(tiš·kā·ḥê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7911.htm">Strong's 7911: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֣נָה</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> </span><span class="str2">Where?, whither?, when?, hither and thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">forever?</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶ֑צַח</span> <span class="translit">(ne·ṣaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5331.htm">Strong's 5331: </a> </span><span class="str2">Eminence, enduring, everlastingness, perpetuity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">How long</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will You hide</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּסְתִּ֖יר</span> <span class="translit">(tas·tîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5641.htm">Strong's 5641: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hide, conceal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Your face</span><br /><span class="heb">פָּנֶ֣יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(pā·ne·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from me?</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמֶּֽנִּי׃</span> <span class="translit">(mim·men·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm 13:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm 13:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm 13:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm 13:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm 13:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm 13:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm 13:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm 13:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm 13:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm 13:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/13-1.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 13:1 For the Chief Musician (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/12-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 12:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 12:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/13-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 13:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 13:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>