A Cry in the Night

Psalm 6 picks right up again with David lamenting the enemies that are always after Him. but this time He ads a personal lament as well, asking God for mercy.  As usual, He ends with praise, showing that David knew the best way out of His troubles was by praising the one who could deliver Him.  Let’s take a look.

Psalm 6

1  O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

 ² Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

I have read several commentaries and none of them shed any light on why David is so intent on finding mercy at this time.  Some conjecture this was written when David went in and cut off a portion of Saul’s robe while He was sleeping.  Others say it was when he numbered the people against God’s wishes.

Whatever the reason, David knows how to ask as well as anyone in the Bible.  He has a connection with God that we should all learn.  He doesn’t shy away from telling God his problems, and asking for a remedy.  Direct and to the point.  He does not want to be rebuked or chastised, and he wants mercy for his ailing body.

But we also must remember that God will still do what He chooses, regardless of David’s, or our prayers.  If God desires to rebuke or chastise David, He will.  If He desires to have David suffer with ill health for a time, He will heal Him at a later date.  We must never get into an attitude that says if I ask, God has to give it to me.

I see more and more preachers saying that when we ask, it is automatically yours.  I think this can actually weaken our faith if we are not careful, because that pain might not go away, or that trouble might remain.  And we say, well God is not hearing my prayer – what’s the use.  Always remember God is sovereign, and He will do what best fits His plan for our lives, because He alone knows what that plan is!

³ My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long?

⁴ Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.

⁵ For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

David, like all of us, would prefer to praise God for healing and deliverance while He is still alive, because He  believes once he dies, his earthly testimony is over.  But look at David;s legacy – the boom of Psalms, and know that David has effected millions of lives with these words penned so long ago.  Are you leaving a legacy?

⁶ I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

I did not sleep well last night.  I had pain in my lower back from sitting in a different char that was given to us to try and help while I am recuperating from the two stem cell transplants I just had.  Needless to say, we won’t be keeping the chair. I can associate with the watery bed, as I lay in mine and was close to tears at times.

I took this time to pray for friends and loved ones, for my  church, for our election and many other things.  It became a wonderful time of refreshing and meditation.  I think the same happened to David as we will see soon.

⁷ Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

⁸ Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.

Here are those enemies again, ever present n David’s life.  In David’s case, I believe he is talking about real enemies, intent on his death.  Saul, Absolom, the Philistines – Any of them wanted David dead at one time or another.  Very few of us have enemies like that I would hope.

But what about other enemies that can hinder, or destroy us?   Financial problems, lust, alcohol or drugs (including prescription drug abuse), work related, stress – the lsit is endless.  How many of us struggle with these enemies in our lives on a daily basis.  Let’s seek God, as David does, and ask Him to bring a solution and a respite fromthe onslaught of our daily problems that keep us up at night.

⁹ The hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.

¹⁰ Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.

David comes back to praise and thanksgiving.  God has heard his prayer, and David will rise above the troubles he is facing.  This is the key to a successful prayer life.  Tell God what’s on your heart, and then thank him for taking care of it.  It’s a simple thing, but I so often forget to do it.