Psalm 6 Bible Study

Psalm 6

Introduction

This is the first of seven penitential Psalms.

Jeremiah was not the only one considered as a weeping man.

The trouble that David is seen as wholistic. In other words, the result from his sins against God have affected him physically.

What is beautiful about this Psalm is that it begins with agonizing complaints, but ends with joyful praise!

Example: It makes me think of Hannah. She began with a sorrowful spirit; she went to God in prayer; her sadness was lifted.

VERSES 1-7

These verses speak the language of a heart truly humbled under humbling providences, of a broken and contrite spirit under great afflictions, sent on purpose to awaken conscience and mortify corruption. Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 751.

Where should a child go when they have a complaint? THERE FATHER.

I don’t find David saying he does not deserve rebuke from the Lord, but he does request God not rebuke him in His anger. He wanted God’s anger to cool.

Verse 2

You might think, “David was a king after God’s own heart, why would God allow him to go through these pains?”

He was a man after God’s own heart, yet there were times David’s heart did not follow after God.

Great men are men at best. They are not above visits from the divine!

Human sickness can be (but not always) a direct result of human sin.

Verse 3

David’s sickness brought his sin to his remembrance.

David knew this was from God’s displeasure.

A truly spiritual man knows when he is out of touch with God.

Here are some indicators (besides physical sickness)

Your pursuit of holiness has dwindled.

Prayer becomes empty words of repetition.

Your unconfessed sin is eating at you.

Until David confesses his sin, there is not healing possible for him.

When the sin is confessed and canceled, then the anointing oil and the prayer of faith will heal the sickness. In other words, to heal the sickness without dealing with the sin that caused it would be like putting a bandaid on a cancer. John Phillips, Exploring Psalms 1–88: An Expository Commentary, vol. 1, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Ps 6:1–3.

“But thou, O Lord, how long?

Notice this sudden stop.

It is almost as if David was at a place where he had no words.

This dramatic silence is seen in Genesis and when Moses came down from the mountain.

VERSES 4-5

Verses 4

Mercy = lovingkindness

God doesn’t just extend His kindness, but His lovingkindness to us!!!

We must understand like David did that God brings chastisement because He remains holy, just, and righteous.

God however is gracious, kind, and merciful.

This is why David did not pray for God to continue showing justice.

Verse 5

Quote: “Churchyards are silent places.” — C.H. Spurgeon

VERSES 6-7

Verse 6

“All the night” = can be rendered “every night.”

You will notice that he never mentions anything about his condition during the day?

It leads you to think that David possible put on a good front during the day, but was in anguish during the night.

What negative things would come from this way of living?

He was a husband

He was a father

He heard cases from the people

The evening entertainment

Verse 7

I think it was coming clear that he was fooling nobody!

As you will find in the very next verse that there were people who were taking notice.

Illustration: Have you ever had very little sleep? What are some external indicators that others might take notice of?

Question: Have you ever knew by looking into someone’s eyes that they were either tired, sick, sad, depressed.....?

You could say it this way, “David was visibly aging before those within his court.”

Illustration: Have you ever seen what certain drugs can do to the external appearance of someone?

Unconfessed sin, will certainly age you quickly!

VERSES 8-10

Verses 8-9

The transition here is like the flipping of a light switch.

What we see here is David’s fears were stilled.

What you see that results in David experiencing inner peace is not the guarantee of a date of which God would answer, but the guarantee that God has heard his prayer.

“The of my weeping” = his tears.

Spurgeon called tears “liquid prayers.

The tears of a broken heart need no interpreter.

Verse 10

David is confirming how his vexation was his route back to God.

David concludes by praying for his enemies to experience the same kind of divine touch.

Notice the powerful emotions listed:

Ashamed, greatly troubled, suddenly ashamed.

David knew God was very well able to bring these nay sayers to repentance.

We are instructed to “pray for all men.”