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Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/13.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Turn and answer me, O LORD my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Consider me and respond, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Consider <i>and</i> hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the <i>sleep of</i> death;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Consider <i>and</i> hear me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the <i>sleep of</i> death;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Consider <i>and</i> answer me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the <i>sleep of</i> death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Consider <i>and</i> answer me, O LORD, my God; Enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the <i>sleep of</i> death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Look <i>and</i> answer me, O Yahweh my God; Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep the <i>sleep of</i> death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; Give light (life) to my eyes, or I will sleep the <i>sleep of</i> death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Consider me and answer, LORD my God. Restore brightness to my eyes; otherwise, I will sleep in death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Consider me and answer, LORD my God. Restore brightness to my eyes; otherwise, I will sleep in death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Consider and answer me, O Jehovah my God: Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Please listen, LORD God, and answer my prayers. Make my eyes sparkle again, or else I will fall into the sleep of death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Consider and answer me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Look at me! Answer me, O LORD my God! Light up my eyes, or else I will die<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Look at me, O LORD my God, and answer me. Restore my strength; don't let me die. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Look at me! Answer me, LORD, my God! Give light to my eyes! Otherwise, I will sleep in death;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Consider me and respond, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Look at me! Answer me, O LORD my God! Revive me, or else I will die! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Look, and answer me, LORD, my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Behold, and answer me, Yahweh, my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Look attentively; Answer me, O YHWH, my God, "" Enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep in death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Look attentively; Answer me, O Jehovah, my God, Enlighten mine eyes, lest I sleep in death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />How long shall I put counsels in my soul, grief in my heart the day? how long shall mine enemy rise up against me?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 12:3>How long will my enemy be exalted over me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />How long must I carry sorrow in my soul, grief in my heart day after day? How long will my enemy triumph over me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Consider and answer me, O LORD my God! Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep in death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Look and answer me, LORD JEHOVAH, my God, and enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep unto death.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Behold Thou, and answer me, O LORD my God; Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Look on me, hearken to me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep in death;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/13-3.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=1118" 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">2</span>How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me? <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5027.htm" title="5027: hab·bî·ṭāh (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To look. A primitive root; to scan, i.e. Look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care.">Consider me</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ‘ă·nê·nî (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 1cs) -- To answer, respond.">and respond,</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/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hāy (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">my God.</a> <a href="/hebrew/215.htm" title="215: hā·’î·rāh (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To be or become light. A primitive root; to be luminous.">Give light</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·nay (N-cdc:: 1cs) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">to my eyes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">lest</a> <a href="/hebrew/3462.htm" title="3462: ’î·šan (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To sleep. A primitive root; properly, to be slack or languid, i.e. sleep; also to grow old, stale or inveterate.">I sleep</a> <a href="/hebrew/4194.htm" title="4194: ham·mā·weṯ (Art:: N-ms) -- Death. From muwth; death; concretely, the dead, their place or state; figuratively, pestilence, ruin.">in death,</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes rejoice when I fall.…<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/119-18.htm">Psalm 119:18</a></span><br />Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/6-6.htm">Psalm 6:6-7</a></span><br />I am weary from groaning; all night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. / My eyes fail from grief; they grow dim because of all my foes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/30-9.htm">Psalm 30:9</a></span><br />“What gain is there in my bloodshed, in my descent to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your faithfulness?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/88-10.htm">Psalm 88:10-12</a></span><br />Do You work wonders for the dead? Do departed spirits rise up to praise You? Selah / Can Your loving devotion be proclaimed in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon? / Will Your wonders be known in the darkness, or Your righteousness in the land of oblivion?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/143-7.htm">Psalm 143:7-8</a></span><br />Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit. / Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/33-30.htm">Job 33:30</a></span><br />to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/38-18.htm">Isaiah 38:18-19</a></span><br />For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness. / The living, only the living, can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-55.htm">Lamentations 3:55-56</a></span><br />I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit. / You heard my plea: “Do not ignore my cry for relief.”<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="/2_corinthians/4-6.htm">2 Corinthians 4:6</a></span><br />For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-18.htm">Ephesians 1:18</a></span><br />I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-11.htm">Romans 13:11</a></span><br />And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:6</a></span><br />So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11-14</a></span><br />After He had said this, He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.” / His disciples replied, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better.” / They thought that Jesus was talking about actual sleep, but He was speaking about the death of Lazarus. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-24.htm">Matthew 9:24</a></span><br />“Go away,” He told them. “The girl is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;</p><p class="hdg">Consider</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/9-13.htm">Psalm 9:13</a></b></br> Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble <i>which I suffer</i> of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/25-19.htm">Psalm 25:19</a></b></br> Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/31-7.htm">Psalm 31:7</a></b></br> I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;</p><p class="hdg">lighten</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/18-28.htm">Psalm 18:28</a></b></br> For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/14-27.htm">1 Samuel 14:27,29</a></b></br> But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that <i>was</i> in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/9-8.htm">Ezra 9:8</a></b></br> And now for a little space grace hath been <i>shewed</i> from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.</p><p class="hdg">less</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/51-39.htm">Jeremiah 51:39,57</a></b></br> In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/5-14.htm">Ephesians 5:14</a></b></br> Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/10-14.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/psalms/10-8.htm">Death</a> <a href="/ezra/9-8.htm">Enlighten</a> <a href="/psalms/11-4.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/10-17.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/psalms/4-6.htm">Light</a> <a href="/job/41-32.htm">Shining</a> <a href="/psalms/4-8.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/psalms/6-8.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/25-18.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/psalms/16-10.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/18-28.htm">Enlighten</a> <a href="/psalms/15-4.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/17-1.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/psalms/17-8.htm">Light</a> <a href="/psalms/18-12.htm">Shining</a> <a href="/psalms/44-23.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/psalms/18-6.htm">Voice</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'; 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The use of "consider" suggests a desire for God's attention and care, echoing the intimate language found in other psalms (e.g., <a href="/psalms/25-16.htm">Psalm 25:16</a>). The phrase "O LORD my God" underscores a covenant relationship, reminiscent of God's promises to the patriarchs (<a href="/genesis/17-7.htm">Genesis 17:7</a>). The psalmist's request for a response indicates a belief in God's active involvement in human affairs, aligning with the biblical narrative of God hearing and answering prayers (<a href="/1_kings/8-28.htm">1 Kings 8:28-30</a>).<p><b>Give light to my eyes,</b><br>This metaphorical expression signifies a request for renewed vitality and understanding. In ancient Near Eastern culture, "light" often symbolized life and divine favor (<a href="/job/33-30.htm">Job 33:30</a>). The eyes are considered the windows to the soul, and their brightness is associated with health and well-being (<a href="/proverbs/15-30.htm">Proverbs 15:30</a>). This plea can be seen as a request for spiritual enlightenment and guidance, paralleling the illumination provided by God's Word (<a href="/psalms/119-105.htm">Psalm 119:105</a>). The imagery also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Jesus as the "light of the world" (<a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a>).<p><b>lest I sleep in death,</b><br>The fear of death is a common theme in the Psalms, reflecting the human condition and the reality of mortality. "Sleep" as a euphemism for death is found throughout Scripture (<a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a>, <a href="/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11-14</a>), indicating a temporary state before resurrection. This phrase highlights the psalmist's desperation and the urgency of divine intervention. It also points to the hope of deliverance and eternal life, themes fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus Christ (<a href="/1_corinthians/15-20.htm">1 Corinthians 15:20-22</a>). The plea underscores the belief in God's power over life and death, a central tenet of biblical faith.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/13.htm">Psalm 13</a>, David is expressing a deep sense of distress and seeking God's intervention.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, whom David is addressing in his plea for help and enlightenment.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_psalmist's_distress.htm">The Psalmist's Distress</a></b><br>The event or situation prompting this psalm is one of personal anguish and a feeling of abandonment by God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_attention.htm">Seeking God's Attention</a></b><br>David's plea for God to "consider" and "respond" highlights the importance of seeking God's attention and intervention in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_illumination.htm">Divine Illumination</a></b><br>"Give light to my eyes" signifies a request for understanding, guidance, and hope. In times of darkness, we should seek God's light to guide us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_spiritual_despair.htm">The Reality of Spiritual Despair</a></b><br>The phrase "lest I sleep in death" underscores the severity of David's despair, reminding us that spiritual desolation can feel like death, but God's presence brings life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/persistent_prayer.htm">Persistent Prayer</a></b><br>David's earnest prayer teaches us the value of persistence in prayer, even when God seems distant.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a></b><br>While David urgently seeks God's response, he ultimately trusts in God's perfect timing and wisdom.<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/why_do_christians_disagree_on_doctrines.htm">If the Bible is clear, why do Christians disagree on foundational doctrines?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_defiling_god's_temple_mean.htm">Will Christ shine on you if you awaken?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_divine_simplicity.htm">What does the concept of divine simplicity entail?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_76_6__evidence_of_chariots'_'dead_sleep'.htm">Psalm 76:6: Is there any scientific or historical insight supporting the idea of horses and chariots suddenly being cast into a “dead sleep” at God’s rebuke? </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>(3) <span class= "bld">Lighten.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">give light to my eyes that I may not go to sleep in death, i.e., </span>go to sleep and never wake; "sleep unto death," as the LXX. (Comp. for the nature of the fear, <a href="/psalms/6-5.htm" title="For in death there is no remembrance of you: in the grave who shall give you thanks?">Psalm 6:5</a>; and for the form of expression, <a href="/1_samuel/14-27.htm" title="But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: why he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.">1Samuel 14:27</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/14-29.htm" title="Then said Jonathan, My father has troubled the land: see, I pray you, how my eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.">1Samuel 14:29</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Consider and hear me, O Lord my God</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/5-1.htm">Psalm 5:1</a>; <a href="/psalms/9-13.htm">Psalm 9:13</a>; <a href="/psalms/141-1.htm">Psalm 141:1</a>, etc.). David will not allow himself to be "forgotten;" he will recall himself to God's remembrance. "Consider - hear me," he says, "O Lord my God;" still "my God," although thou hast forgotten me, and therefore bound to "hear me." Lighten mine eyes. Not so much "enlighten me spiritually," as "cheer me up; put brightness into my eyes; revive me" (comp. <a href="/ezra/9-8.htm">Ezra 9:8</a>, "Grace hath been showed from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape... that our God may <span class="accented">lighten out eyes</span>, and give us a little reviving"). Lest I sleep the sleep of death; literally, <span class="accented">lest I sleep death.</span> Death is compared to a sleep by Job (<a href="/job/11-12.htm">Job 11:12</a>), Jeremiah (<a href="/jeremiah/51-39.htm">Jeremiah 51:39, 57</a>), Daniel (<a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a>), and here by David, in the Old Testament; and by our Lord (<a href="/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11-13</a>) and St. Paul in the New (<a href="/1_corinthians/11-30.htm">1 Corinthians 11:30</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/15-51.htm">1 Corinthians 15:51</a>; <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-14.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:14, 15</a>). The external resemblance of a corpse to a sleeping person was the root of the metaphor, and we shall do wrong to conclude from its employment anything with respect to the psalmist's views concerning the real nature of death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/13-3.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">See me</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבִּ֣יטָֽה</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bî·ṭāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5027.htm">Strong's 5027: </a> </span><span class="str2">To scan, look intently at, to regard</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] respond,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲ֭נֵנִי</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·nê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֣ה</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">my God.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהָ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Give light</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאִ֥ירָה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’î·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_215.htm">Strong's 215: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become light</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to my eyes,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֝ינַ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·nay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - cdc | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lest</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(pen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> </span><span class="str2">Removal, lest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I sleep</span><br /><span class="heb">אִישַׁ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(’î·šan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3462.htm">Strong's 3462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be slack, languid, sleep, to grow old, stale, inveterate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in death,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמָּֽוֶת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mā·weṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4194.htm">Strong's 4194: </a> </span><span class="str2">Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/13-3.htm">Psalm 13:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/13-3.htm">Psalm 13:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/13-3.htm">Psalm 13:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/13-3.htm">Psalm 13:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/13-3.htm">Psalm 13:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/13-3.htm">Psalm 13:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/13-3.htm">Psalm 13:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/13-3.htm">Psalm 13:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/13-3.htm">Psalm 13:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/13-3.htm">Psalm 13:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/13-3.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 13:3 Behold and answer me Yahweh my God (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/13-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 13:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 13:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/13-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 13:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 13:4" /></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>