And I have trusted in your favor. My heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to Jehovah because He has dealt fully with me (Psalm 13:5–6).
David begins this psalm in despair, but ends it in rejoicing. He asks how long God will forget him while his enemies are exalted over him (Psalm 13:1). The psalmist struggles emotionally every day, fearing that he may sleep the sleep of death (Psalm 13:2). He worries that his enemy will prevail against him (Psalm 13:3).
The psalmist did not experience grace in the same manner as Christians do today, nor did he know the victory over enemies as the grace believer possesses in Christ. God’s face is always toward the saints of the Church, as His Spirit dwells within them.
The law was given through Moses, whereas the grace we know today came to be through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Under the Mosaic Law, God gave the Israelites favor. When they obeyed His word, they would possess health, wealth, and happiness (Deuteronomy 28:1–2). For the Church’s saints, God gives them benefits without regard to merit. This grace is always associated with the grace believer (Romans 16:24).
Under the Law, God destroyed the enemies of Israel in response to their obedience. Under grace, Christians are provided with all that is necessary for life and godliness, enabling them to shine as luminaries within a corrupt and perverse generation (Philippians 2:15). Although those who aspire to live godly lives will encounter persecution (2 Timothy 3:12), the opportunity to suffer for righteousness is itself an aspect of grace (Philippians 1:29; 1 Peter 2:19).
In Christ, Christians possess victory over sin (Romans 6:6), the world (Galatians 6:14), and Satan (John 16:11). Nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35–39).
The psalmist looks at an earthly promise, waiting for its fulfillment. The Christian looks towards the happy hope, when the Christ calls him to meet Him in the air (Titus 2:13). Those in Christ have something better (Hebrews 8:6). Therefore, when the unrighteous surround us and prosper in all they do, let us not lose heart, for the Lord will crush Satan under our feet (Romans 16:20). Let us not get discouraged; instead, let us reject the works of darkness and walk in the light (Romans 13:12).
