A Psalm of Penance
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Today we are looking at the first Psalm of penance.
First of David’s Penitent Psalms
There are 7 penitent Psalms: Here in Psalm 6, and then there are 6 other penitent Psalms, which are Psalm 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143.
Penance from a penitent heart is something that many in Christianity seem to avoid talking about. I like what William Plumer said, “God may turn his ears from prattling prayers, or preaching prayers, but never from penitent believing prayers.”
This morning we are going to look at Psalm 6, so if you have your Bibles, turn with me to Psalm 6.
This Psalm is different from many of the other Psalms of penance, in that it does not identify the sin that took David to the brink of death. Still he comes before the Lord with a sense of brokenness. So let’s look at verse 1.
Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.
A Plea for Relief
A Plea for Relief
David pleas with Yahwe h not to rebuke him in anger. He is pleading for God not to lash out at him in anger (v. 1a).
There is repetition for emphasis, with a plea not to be experience God’s wrath (v. 1b).
Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
David pleas for mercy, because he is faint (Hebrew: frail, feeble, weak, sick, fading away, or lacking strength) (v. 2a).
David pleas for healing because his bones are in agony (Hebrew: horrified, out of one’s senses, alarmed, dismayed, or bewildered) (v. 2b).
My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?
David says his soul—his deep inner person—is in anguish (Hebrew is the same root word as in verse 2 translated agony)
A Prayer of Deliverance
A Prayer of Deliverance
Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.
David prays for Yahweh to change His direction and save David (v. 4a).
— David appeals to God’s unfailing love (v. 4b).
Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave?
— David also appeals to the fact that a dead person doesn’t/can’t proclaim God’s name (v. 5a).
— And a dead person doesn’t/can’t praise God (v. 5b).
I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.
David says he is worn out from groaning—worn out from the turmoil surrounding his situation (v. 6a).
David describes the weeping (v. 6b).
— He weeps all night long
— He weeps so much that his bed is soaked with tears (v. 6c).
My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.
David feels weak and overwhelmed because of his enemies (v. 7a).
The reference to David’s eyes growing weak may suggest some kind of physical illness for which his enemies may have been responsible (v. 7b).
David’s Assurance of Deliverance
David’s Assurance of Deliverance
Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping.
David receives some kind of assurance that Yahweh has heard his cries. He could have heard from a prophet, or it may be an inner sense. Still he declares that he knows God has heard his weeping (v. 8).
The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.
David continues by saying the Lord heard his cry for mercy (v. 9a).
And the Lord (Yahweh) accepts his prayer (v. 9b).
In the midst of the struggle, perhaps David believed his prayers were being hindered in some way—perhaps God wasn’t hearing his prayers, but now David believes God is hearing his prayers and responding to them.
All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.
David’s declaration of his belief (v. 10)
— All his enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish!
— They will turn back (stop their attack) because of the shame that they receive!
Conclusion
Conclusion
So why is a Psalm like Psalm 6 so important? Well to quote Darrell Bock, “God is pleased to have the penitent at his table.”
When we sin we need to approach God with a heart that acknowledges the seriousness of our sin.
Yet many Christians never grasp the actual meaning of penance.
Some say penance is a way by which sins are forgiven.
Some define penance as the practice of voluntarily inflicting self-punishment as an outward expression of repentance for having done wrong—sinned!
Neither of these is what I believe this passage is talking about. So how does one define penance?
My definition of penance: Penance is an act of devotion that expresses sorrow for and repentance of sin.
When we sin, God desires our repentance—which is defined as a change of direction. It is far more than a simple, “I’m sorry.”
Yes, it is being sorrowful, but it is also not doing the sin any more.
So penance, is both sorrow for our sin, and an active change of direction that stops us from continuing the sinful behaviors.
David’s penitent heart is seen in this Psalm.
He pleas for relief from the strong hand of God.
Then David prays for God’s active deliverance.
Finally, David has the assurance that God will work on his behalf and deliver him.
Today, we need to come to God with a penitent heart.
We need to plea for God to work in our heart and lives.
We need to pray for God’s intervention on our behalf.
And finally, we need to receive the assurance that God will grant us deliverance either here on earth or His ultimate deliverance when we see Him face-to-face.