Psalm 13. In the throes of anxiety over a situation that could spell death for David, he asks God four times how long He will refrain from intervening to help (verses 1-2). The question "How long shall I take counsel in my soul...?" (verse 2) could also be phrased as "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts...?" (NIV).

David appeals to God's honor, for his death would mean to his enemies either that David was not a legitimate servant of God contrary to God's own testimony or that God was unable to save Him. "The enemies' rejoicing [over David's fall] would be intolerable because it would be aimed in part against God in whom the psalmist has trusted (Psalm 35:19)" (Nelson Study Bible, note on Psalm 13:4).

In verse 5 we come to a turning point. It appears that God has now granted David a proper perspective. He thus ends the psalm confidently by focusing on God's mercy (hesed)—His covenant faithfulness, His unfailing love—remembering God's goodness to Him in the past (verse 6).