Psalm thirteen is not fast food for the soul. It is rich, profound truth intended to change us. It is brief—only six verses—but powerful.

Verses one and two portray the internal storm raging in the heart of David the psalmist. Four times in those verses he pleads with his God, “How long?” David wonders how long God will forget him and hide his face from him (13:1). David wonders how long he must have daily sorrow and have his enemies exalted over him (13:2). That internal storm begins to clear in verses three and four. The agonizing psalmist makes a request of God: “Consider and hear me…lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.” (13:3)

The final two verses portray the inner peace that can come when a brokenhearted believer simply turns to God. God did not settle David’s crisis. He settled David. When David remembers God's greatness (“He has dealt bountifully with me," 13:6) he has three responses to his God:  “I have trusted in Thy mercy…my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation…I will sing unto the Lord…” (13:5,6).

Is it ever acceptable to question God? David shows us in Psalm thirteen that there is a healthy way to do so, but it is not with pride, anger, or doubt. In his private storm, David asks God, “How long?” As the clearing comes, David humbly asks for God's attention. When he thinks on God’s greatness to him, David trusts, rejoices, and sings.

This amazing psalm is for those with tear-stained faces, broken hearts, and deep hurts. May God minister to us as He did to David.