Psalm 13 (12):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Reflect on the verse, "How long shall I lay down thoughts in my soul?" Just as one who has departed from the shore roams aimlessly, or as a traveler who has lost their way frequently falters, the individual forsaken by God is perpetually burdened by cares, worries, and sorrows. However, these very struggles, anxieties, heartaches, and reflections on divine abandonment can indeed prompt a return to fellowship with God. As Paul expressed in his epistle to the Corinthians, “Who shall make me glad, except he that is grieved with me” (2 Cor. 2:2)? It is a significant advantage, dear friends, to experience God's displeasure, to mourn and lament, for through these feelings, we are likely to draw Him back toward us.

Advice is most necessary during times of trial. So, how long should I seek guidance within my spirit? As if to inquire, ‘How long must I endure this suffering?’ This conveys a plea: ‘How long, O Lord, will You totally forget me and hide Your face from me, until I find wisdom in my heart?’ Until a person finds the wisdom to practice mercy faithfully, God will not fully guide him or grant the complete revelation of Himself that occurs in direct communion. Is there anguish in my heart throughout the day? It indicates the duration of my struggle. ‘Throughout the day’ implies a sense of persistence, suggesting that this time reflects the trials of life.

For how long must I wrestle with my own thoughts? I am troubled, fearing that I might die in sin, and this weighs heavily on my spirit more than anything else. Afflictions plague my heart both day and night; they occupy my mind constantly. How long will my adversary rise against me? When we walk in righteousness, the enemy, the devil, is brought low; it is clear that he is lifted up when we fall into sin. Just as Scripture reveals that God is glorified through our redemption, so too does the enemy gain glory through our ruin.

‘How long will I wrestle with my thoughts and experience anguish in my heart day and night?’ I find myself in constant turmoil, shifting my thoughts back and forth; at times, I envision being esteemed among humanity, only to subsequently question if that is achievable, and on occasion, I lose my hopeful aspirations. ‘How long will my adversary rise against me?’ It is appropriate for us, who contend with the evil one, to express such sentiments and continually seek divine intervention; for even the godly David felt sorrow when he witnessed his foes triumphing.

How long will I wrestle with my thoughts, my spirit agitated and my heart tormented both day and night? I experience affliction within me unceasingly. I find myself in a state of anxiety, burdened with concerns about how to escape temptation, and in my inability to attain such freedom, I am left with only sorrow and anguish. How long will my adversary rise against me? How long must I bear witness to my rebellious son Absalom, who has harbored animosity towards me since he took the life of my son Ammon? How long, I ask, will he prosper and be lifted up? In every aspect, he flourishes while he turns against his father. Meanwhile, I am overwhelmed with grief and distress, bowing my head in despair. By "enemy," we might also refer to the devil, the source of all temptations.

The degradation of humanity elevates Satan. Just as God is glorified through our redemption, the devil gains prominence through our ruin.

How much longer will the adversary rise to the realm of the dead? It is no longer solely through those who disbelieve that he challenges Your devoted followers: instead, he has turned those who profess Your name into allies of Your foes and adversaries against Your faithful. While their extraordinary military endeavors and forces fail to grant them victory, he has led them to adopt methods of warfare that include theft, looting, arson, the slaughter of the defenseless, the destruction of the property of peaceable citizens and settlers, sacrilege, and the violation of the holy. Arise, O God, and judge the earth; for You have taken possession of all the nations. Yet, O Lord, do not let Your anger rebuke us, nor Your wrath correct us.

It is widely recognized that individuals facing distressing situations experience significant anxiety, desperately seeking ways to escape their plight. Particularly when they feel abandoned, their torment is amplified, prompting them to engage in various distractions as they grasp at different intentions. This reflects David's own struggles, as the maladies of the day symbolize the root of such distress. Just as a ship that has come loose from its anchor is tossed by the waves, and a man deprived of light is overwhelmed by numerous challenges, so too is a person caught in hardship consumed by worries and ailments. It appears that this individual finds it easier to inflict suffering upon themselves without relief than to endure their trials with a serene and gentle spirit.

This psalm is believed to have been penned by David during a later period of persecution by Saul. After many years, the triumph over his adversaries, which he had frequently sought from God, had not yet materialized; thus, a troubling thought may have occasionally surfaced in David's spirit—that God had entirely forgotten him. This sentiment is echoed in the sorrowful inquiry: How long will this profound state of forgetfulness persist? The psalmist devises numerous strategies to evade persecution, yet each one proves unsuccessful, leading to heartache as he accumulates plans in his soul, akin to stockpiling in a storeroom.

For how long will I ponder in my heart, experiencing affliction within me day and night? How long will my spirit be weighed down by shadowy notions and painful reflections? How long will worries, fears, despair, and grief disturb my soul? Chrysostom expresses, "I lament, fearing in my heart that I may perish in sin, and this truly causes my spirit distress day and night." St. Athanasius asks, how long will my adversary rise up against me? This adversary refers to the devil. St. Athanasius notes, “The humiliation of humanity serves as a means of exaltation for Satan. Just as it is said of God that He is uplifted by our salvation, it can be said of the devil that he is elevated by our ruin.” Some interpret the enemy to mean Saul while others refer to Absalom. With the Hebrews, one could ask, "How long will I contemplate in my soul, experiencing grief in my heart both day and night? How long will my adversary lift himself above me?"

The counsel of the soul manifests through the conscience, which accuses a person of their sins. The penitent, burdened with sorrow, cries out during the day, contemplating whether they will be granted mercy until evening. In the darkness of night, they groan, pondering whether they will rise from their bed to witness the light once more. The adversary, the demon, takes delight in man's struggles, acting upon God's allowance as he contests man's faults, much like the righteous Job. Human passions and thoughts wage a relentless battle, making it arduous to attain a state of passionlessness, humility, and love for God. This occurs when a person's will aligns with God's will, allowing them to love God wholeheartedly and engage in constant prayer.