Monday 6th January
Read Psalm 6
“Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
3 My soul is in deep anguish.
How long, Lord, how long?
4 Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love.
5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
Who praises you from his grave?
6 I am worn out from my groaning.
All night long I flood my bed with weeping
and drench my couch with tears.
7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
they fail because of all my foes.
8 Away from me, all you who do evil,
for the Lord has heard my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;
the Lord accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;
they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.” (NIVUK)
Initially it seems David is very ill and is asking for mercy as he sees his illness as God’s rebuke. Then in vs 7-10 it becomes clear this is really a lament related to those who would constantly oppose David and his actions. It seems that the psalm is very much an expression of David’s anguish and has little to say about the Lord except as the one to turn to in prayer when people’s attitudes and behaviour are overwhelming. Look at how David describes himself, it’s not pretty: deep anguish, worn out, groaning, weeping, weak with sorrow; verging on depression? But in this state David knows that the Lord will hear his prayer. Firstly, he cries for mercy and healing, is this recognition that what’s happening is at least partly his own doing and that God is justified in rebuking and disciplining a wayward follower. Then David reminds himself of the Lord’s willingness to deliver, save and love. Verse 5 should make you smile, ‘I’m no use to you dead’ is a possible paraphrase. God probably would not be convinced by such an argument, but it does indicate that David is not at the point of giving up, this ‘conversation’ will continue. Finally, David comes to the realisation that God has been listening (vs8-9) and will act (vs10). Verse 9, The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer states the truth that God will hear prayers of repentance and a desire for restoration and, because He shows mercy and love, He will answer with justice and righteousness, not always in the way we expect or desire but always in a way that is best.
Geoff Hinch
