1.0 David’s Petition

Psalm 13:3-4 “Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed against him (David);’ lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.” – David’s despairing need gives way to Prayer in which each necessity in turn is laid before God. Even when God appears to have forsaken him, David’s Faith holds firm. Believing Intercession is the antidote to overwhelming grief and defeat. Psalm 13:3 is David’s Prayer, with various translations including: 

• NIV “Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death.”   
• KJV “Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.”. 
• when David cries out to the Lord, he pleads, Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death (v. 3).
• In this earnest request, David humbly acknowledges God’s Power to rescue him from the brink of despair.
• When David cries out to the LORD, he pleads, Considers and answers me, “O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death” (v. 3).
• In this earnest request, he humbly acknowledges God’s Power to rescue him from the brink of despair.
• David uses of the phrase Enlightens my eyes, highlights a longing for clarity and renewed hope.
• David recognizes that if divine strength and insight are withheld, his life and well-being are in jeopardy. This desperate tone echoes the reliance on God seen throughout the Bible, reminding believers that apart from God’s sustaining power, their own efforts are insufficient (see Ephesians 2 for the notion of spiritual life springing from God’s grace). David sets an example by turning to the Lord in prayer rather than trusting solely in human means or personal resolve.

Psalms 13:3 is a desperate plea to God for an answer, a restoration of strength (symbolized by “light to my eyes”), and a rescue from an enemy, lest the speaker “sleep in death” or be overcome by their troubles. 

1.1 David’s Lamentation

Psalm 13:3a “Consider and hear me, O LORD my God.” – David’s heartfelt plea for God’s Attention! Psalm 13:3a reveals David’s deep longing for God’s attention, consideration, and response. Here are some key insights, of David’s Plea- Psalm 13:3 is part of David’s heartfelt cry of distress and fear.  

• David pleads with God for an answer. The verb for “consider” literally means “look,” in contrast to God’s averted face in Psalm 13:1. The request David asks God to heart is “Enlighten my eyes.” Otherwise, he says his eyes will close in death and his enemies will triumph
• David’s eyes are “enlightened,” or made to “shine” when God looks upon David once again, “lifting up” the light of (His) countenance” upon him (Psalm 89:15).
• In the words of Psalm 36:9, “In Your Light we see light.” Thus, David is “enlightened” when his “relationship” with God is restored.
• As John puts it, “God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all…. If we walk in the Light as He is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another.”  (1John 1:5, 7).
• At the same time, the restoration of the relationship brings the truth (Word) of God to David again.
• David’s Prayer: “Enlighten my eyes,” is also a Prayer for that truth.
• The alternative to this enlightenment, both relationally and conceptually, is death and defeat. So, David asks God to light up his eyes: “Lest I sleep the sleep of death;/lest my enemy say, /I have prevailed against him; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved” (Psalm 13:3-4).
• The ultimate Answer to the disaster of death, and the triumph of the Enemy is God’s Presence, His Face turned toward David and David’s face turned toward Him.
• Paul speaks of the Power of seeing God’s Glory “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2Corinthians 3:18).
• David is not only asking for a resolution to his struggles, but also an explanation
• Part of David’s struggle is his effort to make right decisions, especially in the face of a powerful enemy (Psalm 13:2).
• David asks God to light up his eyes. In Hebrew thinking, light was the embodiment of wisdom, truth, and goodness.
• David is asking God to grant him a proper perspective on his troubling situation. James 1:5 directs Believers to pray for wisdom when facing trials (James 1:2–8).
• David also longs for encouragement. He seems resigned to death and defeat unless God intervenes.
• Many of the threats David faced in his life were lethal, including those from men like King Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2).
• Fear of death was not an exaggerated reaction, but a very real concern.
• Apostle Paul must have felt discouraged when he asked the Lord three times to remove his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7–8), but the Lord did not remove it. Instead, He told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• No trial can overwhelm the Believer who draws encouragement by relying on God’s all-sufficient grace.
• David, as well, retains his trust in God despite these hard circumstances (Psalm 13:5–6).
• The terms “Consider and hear me” are an urgent request for God to stop ignoring David’s Plead and to give him attention. 
• A cry for intervention – Following this plea, David, asks God to “lighten mine eyes” or “enlighten my eyes,” which is a metaphor for giving hope, guidance, and a reason to keep living. 
• A fear of spiritual death –  The phrase “lest I sleep the sleep of death” conveys a fear of both physical and spiritual death, a sense of being completely abandoned and defeated. 
• Context of despair – Psalm 13:3 is part of a larger Psalm where David feels his enemies are “exalted over him” and he is daily filled with sorrow. He is asking God for help to overcome his despair and the power of his enemies
• Consider: David asks God to carefully consider his situation, to examine his circumstances, and to understand his emotional pain.
• Hear me: David implores God to listen to his Petition, to hear his cries for help, and to respond to his needs. This is David’s cry for God’s Presence.
• O LORD my God”: David addresses God as his Personal Lord and God, emphasizing his intimate relationship and his trust in God’s Character. This speaks of David’s intimacy and relationship with his (David’s) God.

Prayer is David’s Medicine against depression in the face of it. David wants relief. He (David) has not raised his complaints solely for the therapeutic value of complaining. He has come to God, seeking an Answer.

1.2 Spiritual Insight

Psalm 13:3b “Enlighten my eyes.” – David’s poignant (moving) request for spiritual insight! Psalm 13:3b reveals David’s desire for spiritual illumination, guidance, and understanding. Here are some key insights, of spiritual insight:

• Emotional Darkness: David feels overwhelmed by his emotional pain, which has led to a sense of spiritual darkness and confusion.
• Need for Guidance: David recognizes his need for God’s Guidance and Illumination to navigate his challenging circumstances.
• Spiritual Insight: David asks God to enlighten his eyes, which means granting him spiritual insight, understanding, and discernment.
• Hope and Guidance: By requesting enlightenment, David is seeking hope and guidance to help him cope with his difficulties and find the way forward.
• Faith in God’s Power: David trusts that God has the Power to enlighten his eyes and grant him spiritual insight. Trust in God’s Illumination.
• Confidence in God’s Guidance: By asking for enlightenment, David demonstrates his confidence in God’s Guidance and Promises.

1.3 Defeat Awaits?

Psalm 13:3c “Lest I sleep the sleep of death.” – Psalm 13:3c is David’s desperate plea to avoid spiritual and physical defeat.  Psalm 13:3c reveals David’s deep concern about the consequences of God’s seeming inaction. Here are some key insights of David’s fear of “spiritual death:”

• Spiritual Complacency: David fears that if God does not intervene, he might become spiritually complacent, losing his vitality and passion for God.
• Separation from God: David is concerned that if he “sleeps the sleep of death,” he will be separated from God’s Presence, Guidance, and Blessing.
• Mortal Danger: David may also be fearing physical harm or death at the hands of his Enemies.
• Desperation for God’s Deliverance: By mentioning “the sleep of death,” David is expressing his desperate need for God’s Deliverance and Protection of the physical danger.
• Faith in God’s Power: Despite his fears, David trusts that God has the Power to intervene and save him.
• Confidence in God’s Love: David, by crying out to God, David demonstrates his confidence in God’s Love, Mercy, and Willingness to deliver him.

1.4 David’s Enemy Reacts

Psalm 13:4a “Lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed against him (David).” –  David concerns for God’s Reputation and David’s own honour!  Psalm 13:4a reveals David’s concern about the potential consequences of God’s seeming inaction. Here are some key insights of God’s Reputation:

• God’s Honor: David is concerned that if God does not intervene, his enemy will claim victory, which would tarnish God’s Reputation and honour.
• Faithfulness and Power: David wants God to demonstrate His Faithfulness and Power by delivering him from his Enemy.
• Personal Reputation: David is also concerned about his (David’s) own reputation and honour. If his Enemy prevails, David’s reputation as God’s Servant will be tarnished.
• Trust in God’s Deliverance: By expressing this concern, David is demonstrating his trust in God’s ability to deliver him and protect him and his reputation.
• Urgency: David’s concern for God’s Reputation and his own honour adds the sense of urgency to his plea for God’s Intervention.
• Faith in God’s Character: Despite his concerns, David remains confident in God’s Character, trusting that He (God) will act to protect His own reputation and deliver His Servant, David.

1.5 David’s Enemy Rejoices

Psalm 13:4b “Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.” – David is concerned for his Enemy’s gloating and David’s own stability! Psalm 13:4b reveals David’s concern about the potential consequences of his own instability and God’s seeming inaction. Here are some key insights, of David’s Enemy’s Gloating:

• Triumphalism: David is concerned that if he is shaken or moved (perhaps emotionally or physically), his Enemies will rejoice and gloat over his misfortune.
• Taunting and Mocking: David’s Enemies might taunt and mock him, saying, “Where is your God now?” or “Your God has abandoned you!”
• Emotional Turmoil: David is aware of his own emotional vulnerability and the potential for his Enemies to exploit his instability.
• Trust in God’s Stability: By expressing this concern, David is implicitly trusting in God’s Sovereignty, recognizing that his own stability is rooted in God’s Presence and Power.
• Preventing Enemy Triumph: David’s plea is motivated by the desire to prevent his Enemies from triumphing over him and to protect his own reputation and stability.
• Faith in God’s Deliverance: Despite his concerns, David remains confident in God’s ability to deliver him, stabilize him, and silence his Enemies.