Psalm-13

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of Thy Law!

Tehillim - Psalm 119:18..

(JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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“Tehillim - Psalm 13”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Let us now read Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 13: (JPS-1917 version in the Tanakh).

1. “For the Leader. A Psalm of David.
2. How long, O יְהוָה - LORD, wilt Thou forget me forever? How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?
3. How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart by day? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
4. Behold Thou, and answer me, O יְהוָה אֱלֹהָי - LORD my Elohim; lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
5. Lest mine enemy say: ‘I have prevailed against him’; lest mine adversaries rejoice when I am moved.
6. But as for me, in Thy mercy do I trust; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation. I will sing untoיְהוָה - the LORD, because He hath dealt bountifully with me”.

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Foreword:

Tehillim - Psalm 13 is a powerful, compact journey from anguish to trust.

Introduction:

Psalm 13 is one of David’s most heartfelt laments. It captures the raw honesty of someone who feels forgotten, overwhelmed, and spiritually exhausted, yet refuses to let go of אֱלֹהִים – Elohim (God). What makes this psalm so moving is its progression: It begins in deep sorrow, moves through earnest prayer, and ends in renewed confidence and praise. It’s a reminder that faith is not the absence of struggle; it’s the decision to keep turning toward אֱלֹהִים - Elohim even when the struggle feels endless.

Once gain we will look at the ‘verse by verse’ item, with explanations:

v 1: “How long, O יְהוָה - LORD? Will You forget me forever?”

David expresses the ache of feeling abandoned. This isn’t theological doubt, it’s emotional honesty. He feels unseen and unheard, and he brings that feeling directly to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. This teaches us that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim welcomes our unfiltered cries. Silence from heaven does not mean absence.

v 2: “How long shall I wrestle with my thoughts…?”

David describes inner turmoil, anxiety, confusion, and the sense that his enemies are gaining ground. The verse captures the exhausting cycle of over thinking and fear. David shows that spiritual battles often begin in the mind, and that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is the one who can bring clarity and peace.

v 3: “Look on me and answer, יְהוָה - LORD my אֱלֹהִים - Eohim”.

Here David shifts from lament to petition. He asks אֱלֹהִים - Elohim to see him and respond. This is a bold prayer, not passive, but confident that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s attention changes everything. David believes that divine intervention can restore his strength and keep him from “sleeping the sleep of death,” a poetic way of describing utter collapse.

v 4: “My enemy will say, ‘I have prevailed’”.

David fears not only personal defeat but the triumph of those who oppose him. He worries that his downfall would embolden evil. This verse shows David’s desire for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s justice, that righteousness would not be overshadowed by the appearance of victory for the wicked.

v 5: “But I trust in Your unfailing love”.

This is the turning point. Despite everything he feels, David chooses trust. The Hebrew word for “unfailing love” (cḥesed) refers to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s covenant loyalty, steadfast, committed, unbreakable. David anchors himself not in his emotions but in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s character.

v 6: “I will sing to יְהוָה - the LORD, for He has been good to me”.

The Psalm ends in praise, even before circumstances change. David remembers אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s past goodness and lets that memory shape his present hope. This is faith in action: singing while still waiting, praising while still hurting, trusting while still longing.

My Closing Message:

Psalm 13 is a gentle invitation to bring your whole heart to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, the confusion, the waiting, the fear, and the hope. It reminds us that, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim can handle your hardest questions, your prayers matter even when answers feel delayed, and trust can coexist with struggle. May this psalm strengthen your spirit, steady your thoughts, and remind you that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s unfailing love is the anchor that holds firm through every season!

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Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down the page!

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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