“Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.”
The expression of fear that enemies will say I have prevailed against him establishes that the speaker's defeat before enemies would constitute theological scandal disgracing both the speaker and God. The enemy's boast suggests that the speaker's suffering will be interpreted as evidence that God has abandoned the speaker and permitted the wicked to triumph. The speaker's concern for how his fate will be perceived suggests awareness that his vindication carries implications beyond personal interests. This verse suggests that God's honor is implicated in the speaker's deliverance.
Church Fathers on Psalms 13:4
Unto the end, a psalm of David. 1. “For Christ is the end of the law to every one that believes.” Romans 10:4 “How long, O Lord, will You forget me unto the end?” Psalm 12:1 that is, put me off as to spiritually understanding Christ, who is the Wisdom of God, and the true end of all the aim of the soul. “How long will You turn away Your face from me?” As God does not forget, so neither does He turn His face away: but Scripture speaks after our manner. Now God is said to turn…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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