How Long?

My tears have carved out deep ravines,
My eyes have washed away;
I cannot see who’s taunting me,
But I can feel their rage.

My soul is grieved by enemies,
Who spit and strike my face;
How long, O LORD, must I endure,
Before they make my grave?

My tears and sorrows have spilled out,
There’s nothing left to cry;
How long, O LORD, will You forget,
And leave me here to die?

In death I’ll trust Your promises,
To raise me to new life;
How short, O LORD, shall darkness seem,
In Your Eternal Light?

For there I will not see the tears,
That left this heart of mine;
But LORD, how long, will tears still flow,
Forever in Your mind?

Behind the lines

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me. (Psalm 13 ESV)