Psalms 13:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

How long shall I take counsel in my soul, [having] sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

Complete Jewish Bible:

How long must I keep asking myself what to do, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long must my enemy dominate me?

Berean Standard Bible:

How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me?

American Standard Version:

How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

How long shall I take^{H7896} counsel^{H6098} in my soul^{H5315}, having sorrow^{H3015} in my heart^{H3824} daily^{H3119}? how long shall mine enemy^{H341} be exalted^{H7311} over me?

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Psalms 13:2

Psalm 13:2 is part of a lament psalm attributed to King David, a common form in the Book of Psalms where the writer pours out his complaints and struggles to God. In this verse, the psalmist expresses a profound sense of sorrow and the weight of a prolonged struggle. The themes here include the anguish of a troubled soul, the daily experience of grief, and a feeling of oppression by an enemy.

The historical context of this psalm, while not explicitly stated, can be inferred from the life of David. As a young man, he was pursued by King Saul out of jealousy, lived as a fugitive, and faced constant threats to his life. Later, as king, he faced external enemies, internal rebellions, and personal family crises. This verse reflects the personal and national trials that David encountered.

In Psalm 13:2, the psalmist is questioning the duration of his distress, indicating a deep longing for relief and a change in his circumstances. The question "How long?" is a poignant expression of the human desire for resolution in the face of ongoing hardship. The mention of an "enemy" being exalted suggests a sense of injustice, where the psalmist feels that his adversaries are triumphing over him. This speaks to the broader biblical theme of the struggle between righteousness and wickedness, and the ultimate hope that God will vindicate the righteous and bring justice.

The verse also touches on the internal dialogue that can occur during times of suffering ("counsel in my soul"), highlighting the mental and emotional toll of enduring hardship. The psalmist's candidness about his inner turmoil invites readers to bring their own laments before God, trusting in His compassion and timing for deliverance.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7896
   There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שִׁית
   Transliteration: shîyth
   Pronunciation: sheeth
   Description: a primitive root; to place (in a very wide application); apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay (up), let alone, [idiom] look, make, mark, put (on), [phrase] regard, set, shew, be stayed, [idiom] take.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6098
   There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵצָה
   Transliteration: ʻêtsâh
   Pronunciation: ay-tsaw'
   Description: from יָעַץ; advice; by implication, plan; also prudence; advice, advisement, counsel(l-(or)), purpose.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5315
   There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
   Transliteration: nephesh
   Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
   Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3015
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָגוֹן
   Transliteration: yâgôwn
   Pronunciation: yaw-gohn'
   Description: from יָגָה; affliction; grief, sorrow.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3824
   There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵבָב
   Transliteration: lêbâb
   Pronunciation: lay-bawb'
   Description: from לָבַב; used also like לֵב; the heart (as the most interior organ); [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3119
   There are 50 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹמָם
   Transliteration: yôwmâm
   Pronunciation: yo-mawm'
   Description: from יוֹם; daily; daily, (by, in the) day(-time).
   
7. Strong's Number: H341
   There are 481 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֹיֵב
   Transliteration: ʼôyêb
   Pronunciation: o-yabe'
   Description: or (fully) אוֹיֵב; active participle of אָיַב; hating; an adversary; enemy, foe.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7311
   There are 185 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רוּם
   Transliteration: rûwm
   Pronunciation: room
   Description: a primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively); bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms.