John Trapp on Psalms 13:1

PSAL. XIII.

VErſ. 1. How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord, for ever?] It appeareth that when David penned this Pſalm (which ſome think was about the end of Sauls Perſecution, when he was forced to fly into the Land of the Philiſtines, 1 Sam. 27.1.) he was under a dreadful deſertion, and that for a long while together; Hence his many How-longs, and for ever? Chriſt (ſaith Greenham) was forſaken for a few hours, David for a few months, and Job for a few years. Luther confeſſeth of himſelf, that after his converſion he lay three days in deſperation; and the like is reported of Mr. Robert Bol[illegible: 1 letter]on, who felt himſelf for the time in the Suburbs of Hell, as it were. So did Heman, Pſal. 88.5. ſo did David here, and elſewhere. The final abſence of God is Hell it ſelf; Depart from me yee curſed, is worſe than into everlaſting fire. To be puniſhed from the preſence of the Lord is the Hell of Hells, 2 Theſſ. 1.9. God ſeemeth to forget his deareſt Children ſometimes for a ſeaſon, to the end that they may remember themſelves, and become every way better; as the Lion leaves her Whelps till they have almoſt killed themſelves with roaring, that they may become the more courageous. But to ſpeak properly, God cannot forget his people, Iſa. 44.16. & 49.14, 15, 16. Non deſerit Deus, etiamſi deſerere videatur; non deſerit etiamſi deſerat, ſaith Auſtin: If he leave us for a time, yet he forſaketh us not at all. If he hide his face (as in the next words) which is a further trial, and a greater miſery (for it importeth indignation, contempt, and hatred) yet it is but for a moment, though it ſhould be during life; and he therefore taketh liberty to do it, ſaith one, becauſe he hath an eternity of time, to reveal his kindneſs in; time enough for kiſſes and embraces; mean while, as when the Sun is ecclipſed, though the earth wants the light thereof, yet not the influence thereof; ſo Gods ſupporting Grace is ever with his deſerted.