Psalm 13 4

Psalm 13:4 kjv

Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

Psalm 13:4 nkjv

Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed against him"; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

Psalm 13:4 niv

and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

Psalm 13:4 esv

lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him," lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

Psalm 13:4 nlt

Don't let my enemies gloat, saying, "We have defeated him!"
Don't let them rejoice at my downfall.

Psalm 13 verses

Psalm 13 4 Meaning

Psalm 13:4 is King David's desperate plea to God, born out of his fear that if the Lord does not intervene swiftly, his adversaries will achieve a decisive victory over him, leading them to boast and exult in his downfall. This concern highlights that his suffering is not merely personal, but that his defeat would bring dishonor to God's name, as enemies would interpret it as God's inability or unwillingness to deliver His servant. It's a prayer for God's glory and reputation to be upheld through David's deliverance.

Psalm 13 4 Context

Psalm 13 is a classic psalm of lament, opening with desperate questions "How long?" four times, revealing David's profound sense of being forgotten and experiencing great sorrow. Before verse 4, David describes his weariness, sorrow, and feeling of being abandoned by God, leading to the risk of death. Verse 4 acts as a critical turning point in the psalm, transitioning from lament to a renewed plea and ultimately to an expression of trust. The immediate historical context is David facing unnamed, but clearly pressing, enemies who seek his downfall. This could be any period of intense personal or political opposition, such as Saul's pursuit of him or Absalom's rebellion. Culturally, the shame of defeat and the glory of victory were profoundly significant. An enemy's boast of triumph was a deep dishonor, and for a people who served the one true God, such a boast could extend to mocking their deity. Therefore, David's plea is not merely for personal safety but for the honor of God's name to be upheld, a subtle polemic against the impotence of pagan deities in the face of suffering or perceived defeat of their adherents.

Word Analysis

• lest (pen): This word signifies "for fear that" or "so that not." It reveals a deep apprehension and the primary motivation behind David's urgent petition, aiming to prevent a specific undesirable outcome. It indicates that the impending harm would be a consequence, not just of suffering, but of God's inaction.
• mine enemy ('oyevi): The singular term refers to an adversary or hostile opponent. While singular, it often represents all who oppose the psalmist. The identity is less crucial than the active malice and intent to cause harm.
• say (yomar): This simple verb means "to say" or "to declare." It implies an open, public, and deliberate utterance, signifying a verbal taunt or boast of victory.
• I have prevailed against him (y'chaltiv): This is from the root yakol, meaning "to be able," "to overcome," or "to conquer." The suffix "iv" means "over him." It's a declaration of decisive, complete victory. It's the ultimate taunt from an enemy, claiming to have definitively overcome their opponent, which for David would mean utter defeat and potential death. This phrasing suggests the enemy's belief in their superior power and effective action.
• lest those who trouble me (v'tsaray): "and my adversaries" or "my tormentors." The root tsar (צר) means "distress," "trouble," "adversary," or "one who causes narrowness/affliction." It parallels "my enemy" but emphasizes the direct distress and constraint inflicted by the foes.
• rejoice (yagilu): From the root gil, meaning "to rejoice," "exult," or "be glad." It indicates a jubilant and often malicious celebration over the suffering or downfall of another, highlighting the deep animosity of the enemies.
• when I am moved (ki emot): "because I stumble," "when I am shaken," or "for I am fallen/tottering." The root mut (מוט) signifies "to waver," "totter," "be shaken," "stumble," or "fall." It refers not necessarily to physical death but to a profound instability, collapse, or defeat. It means to lose one's footing, to fail to stand firm, resulting in a state where one is vulnerable and overcome. This phrase reveals David's fear of complete personal destabilization and collapse, providing enemies with ample reason for their celebratory mockery.

Words-group Analysis

• "lest mine enemy say, 'I have prevailed against him'": This phrase expresses the psalmist's concern that God's perceived inaction would allow the enemy to achieve a conclusive triumph. The enemy's public boast is particularly feared because it undermines not just David, but implicitly God's power and faithfulness. This isn't just about winning a battle; it's about a complete and declared conquest.
• "lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved": This parallels the first phrase, emphasizing the emotional consequence—the malicious joy of the adversaries—should David experience profound destabilization or failure. It highlights the enemies' glee not just in David's defeat, but in his utter breakdown. This double-barreled statement reveals David's dual concern: the enemy's boasting over victory and their cruel celebration of his suffering.

Psalm 13 4 Bonus section

• The use of "lest" twice in the verse, one for the singular "enemy" and one for the plural "those who trouble me," underscores the comprehensive nature of David's fear concerning the enemies' varied forms of mockery and triumph.
• This verse illustrates a recurring theme in Scripture where God acts not only for His people's sake but pre-eminently for the vindication of His own glory and name among the nations (e.g., Ex 32:11-12, Num 14:13-16).
• David's perspective here reflects a mature faith that looks beyond personal suffering to consider the larger implications for God's redemptive plan and reputation in the world.
• The vulnerability expressed by "when I am moved" is a relatable human condition of feeling overwhelmed and on the brink of collapse, making David's plea a model for believers in deep distress to appeal to God as their stability and defense.
• While David's enemies are physical, this verse can also be applied to spiritual warfare, where believers face spiritual adversaries who would rejoice at their spiritual stumble or defeat, seeking to bring shame to God's name through their struggles.

Psalm 13 4 Commentary

Psalm 13:4 forms the emotional and theological core of David's petition within this lament. His profound fear is not merely of personal harm or death, but of the far-reaching implications of his defeat: the enemies' triumphal boast that they had conquered God's servant, and their joyous exultation at his downfall. This is critical because in ancient Israel, the reputation of God was inextricably linked to the well-being and victory of His people. Should David fall, his adversaries, often pagan or ungodly, would not only mock David but also declare the weakness or indifference of his God. Therefore, David appeals to God's own honor and covenant faithfulness, effectively asking God to act for the sake of His own holy name. His cry underscores that true faith acknowledges and presents fears, not suppressing them, but channeling them into earnest prayer, ultimately placing reliance on God's character and power to prevent what would desecrate His name.