Definition: To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Psalm 13:1. It's a really powerful and emotional verse that expresses deep sadness and frustration. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is from the Bible and it’s about feeling completely forgotten by God. David, the author of this Psalm, is lamenting that God will never remember him or his struggles. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “To the chief Musician…” : This immediately tells us who is speaking – it’s David, a very talented and perhaps even boastful musician. It suggests he’s expressing a deep sense of pride and perhaps a little bit of worry about his own worthiness to God's attention. “…A Psalm of David.” : This confirms that this isn’t just any random thought – it’s a song written specifically for David. David was known for writing beautiful poetry. “How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD?” : This is the core of the verse. David is asking, "Will you ever stop forgetting about me? Will you ever look back on me and remember my struggles?" He’s feeling incredibly lonely and abandoned. “for ever?” : This is a HUGE part of the emotional weight. It’s not just that he'll be forgotten someday ; it’s asking if this will never happen. It conveys a deep sense of despair and hopelessness. “how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?” : This is even more intense. "Hide your face?" means to turn away, to become invisible. It suggests God is deliberately avoiding him, perhaps because he’s causing trouble or suffering. He's essentially saying that God is deliberately ignoring David. Overall Meaning & Tone: The verse paints a picture of profound loneliness and despair. David feels utterly forgotten by his God, as if he's being abandoned in the midst of his problems. It highlights a feeling of isolation and vulnerability. It’s a raw expression of sadness and a plea for God to remember him. Why it’s important: This verse is considered one of David’s most beautiful and moving poems. It's a reminder of the importance of faith – that even in our darkest moments, God will not forget us. It speaks to the idea of being valued and remembered by the divine. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Talk about the context of this Psalm (when it was written)? Discuss what this verse might teach us about faith and hope?