HOW LONG WILT THOU FORGET ME?

This psalm is one of the many in which the psalmist is tested to the extreme. It also provides an example of the fact that God does not always immediately answer the cries of the distressed. The repeated sigh, “How long?”, vv. 1, 2, indicates that there was delay in answering David’s prayer.

The depth of his distress and despair is expressed in the questions which commence the psalm. The cause of his anxiety appears to be relentless persecution from enemies, vv. 2, 4. The experience affected him physically and brought him near to death, v. 3. His trust in God’s mercy and the resulting relief from the distress is recorded in vv. 5, 6.

Delays in answering petitions do not mean that God has forgotten us or that He has hidden His face from us. These are intended to test and strengthen our faith and trust. The trial of faith is precious, 1 Pet. 1. 7; Job 23. 10.

There is always a tendency to resort to one’s own counsels when prayers are not answered quickly. There are numerous examples of this in Scripture. Abraham and Jacob stand out in this respect. In times of testing and delay, instead of waiting, they employed methods of their own. These proved to be futile and a hindrance to faith. The psalmist, in his protracted conflict, seems to reflect this in the words, “How long shall I take counsel in my soul?”, v. 2. In view of the hopelessness of his own means to solve his problems, he appeals to God to consider him, rather than to hide His face from him; to answer him, rather than to forget him, v. 3.

God will not forget His people. A woman may forget her suckling child and lack compassion on her offspring, yet He assures that He will never forget His own. They are graven upon the palms of His hands, Isa. 49. 15, 16. In his despair, David asked, “Wilt thou forget me for ever?”. The reality is, however, that He will not forget at all. He has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”, Heb. 13. 5.

Prayer changes things. David’s sorrow is turned to joy; his sighs to song; his despair to hope and trust, vv. 5, 6.

“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? … ye are of more value than many sparrows”, Luke 12. 6, 7.