Sermon Tone Analysis

Psalm 6

Introduction

It is generally acknowledged that this psalm is the first of the seven penitential psalms, the others being 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 and 143.

It seems evident that David wrote this psalm after he had recovered from an illness which threatened to prove fatal, during which he had been made aware of his sins and of God’s chastening hand upon him.

In a very real sense, therefore, this psalm can be entitled “The Time of Trouble.”

We learn from the verses before us that, for the believer, the time of trouble is:

A Time of Discipline

A Time of Distress

A Time of Deliverance

\\ 1A.

A Time of Discipline  (6:1-3)

Divine discipline is one of the evidences of God’s love for His children…

Hebrews 12:6 (NKJV) 6For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

David in this psalm recognized two methods of divine discipline:

1B.

The Word of Correction Applied  (6:1a)

 “rebuke” =  admonition and correction.

When God has to rebuke there will be severity in His tone and anger in His words.

Thus David cried: “O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger.”

It is not clear from this psalm just how this word of correction was applied to David.

Today, God speaks to us through the Bible.

Correction may come from sermons, quiet time…

Let us make sure that we “do not despise the chastening of the Lord...” Hebrews 12:5 (NKJV)

\\ 2B.

The Whip of Chastening Administered  (6:1b)

The same idea is conveyed in the words of Hebrews 12:6.

Hebrews 12:6 (NKJV) 6For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

“scourge,” = a whip of seven thongs weighted with bones or metal.

Sometimes God must use the whip of chastening to bring us to a sense of our sin and our need of forgiveness.

Ø       He may use diabolical forces, as in the chastening of Job.

Ø       He may employ political forces, as in the life of David, when his entire kingdom turned against him because of Absalom’s rebellion.

Ø       Often He ordains material forces, such as those that brought the Prodigal Son to his senses and prompted his return to his father.

Ø       Indeed, God will go to any necessary length to bring us to the place of holiness, peace and blessing.

Ø       In all this discipline we must remember that “whom the Lord /loves /he chastens.”

In verses 2 and 3, David described the effect of God’s discipline upon his entire body.

Ø       He spoke of weakness, sickness and fearfulness, and then exclaimed, “O Lord, how long?”

Ø       There is nothing more serious than soul trouble.

C. H. Spurgeon said, “Soul trouble is the very soul of trouble.”

No wonder David cried, “My soul is also greatly troubled: but You, O Lord, how long?” (6:3).

\\ 2A.

A Time of Distress  (6:4-7)

These verses describe in vivid terms the distress of a truly broken soul.

1B.

The Distress of Sin  (4)

With an awareness of sin comes an awareness of the estrangement which sin creates.

Habakkuk 1:13 (NKJV) 13You are of purer eyes than to behold evil…

David realized that the Lord had turned away from him because of the sin he had condoned in his life, and so he prays that threefold prayer, “Return… deliver… save” (Ps.

6:4).

2B.

The Distress of Separation  (5)

Ø       In David’s day, the view of death was that it terminated the possibility to serve and praise God here upon earth, a view that is consistent with New Testament teaching.

Ø       Let us never forget that it was to Christians that Paul wrote, “The wages of sin is death” (Rom.

6:23); and the Apostle John warned his readers, “There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it” (1 John 5:16).

Ø       It is a solemn thing to have failed so miserably that the Lord must cut off the life in judgment and punishment.

3B.

The Distress of Sorrow  (6)

Ø       When true conviction grips the soul, tearful contrition always follows.

(Simon Peter - Luke 22:62)

4B.

The Distress of Suffering  (6:7)

Ø       As an old man’s eyes grow dim with the years, so David could say, “Mine eye is grown red and feeble through weeping.”

\\ 3A.

A Time of Deliverance  (6:8-10)

Here it seems as if David was emerging from a battle against sin and failure; and with a sense of deliverance in his soul, he declared what God had done for his soul.

1B.

God Acknowledges the Repentance of a Broken Heart  (6:8)

His tears of sorrow and suffering had availed in the presence of God.

Psalm 51:17 (NKJV) 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart-These, O God, You will not despise.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV) 10For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

One of the genuine evidences that we are walking with God is that we are willing to repent of sin whenever the Spirit of God convicts us.

With brokenness comes blessedness.

2B.

God Accepts the Request of a Believing Heart  (6:9)

1 John 3:19-22 (NKJV) 19And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

20For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

21Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.

22And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

3B.

God Allows the Restoration of a Backsliding Heart  (6:10)

This verse was as much a prophecy as it was a declaration.

The psalmist, with the eye of faith, saw the answer to his prayer.

He visualized the moment of his restoration and vindication, when all his enemies who brought him into sin and failure would be ashamed and sore vexed.

He predicted the day when their doom would come upon them suddenly.

Application

How wonderful to know that however much we may be seduced to sin and failure we are ultimately on the victory side!

To lose a battle does not necessarily mean to lose a war.

Although God may have to discipline us and bring us into great distress in order to show us the nature and measure of our sin, there is, restoration and vindication to all whose hearts are set on God.

To put it in modern terms: after “undergoing” trouble the Christian will find himself “overcoming” trouble!

It begins with repentance….

First, there must be personal repentance.

Next, there needs to be corporate repentance.

Ø       Our church like David is sick, because of sin

Ø       The sin that has infected our church like a cancer is deep rooted and has a long history dating back over 20 years.

Ø       This sin like all sin is the sin of rebellion against God’s Word and God’s way.

Ø       We have allowed a spirit of rebellion and division to exist.

Ø       We have allowed members to slander and gossip about other members.

Ø       (Some have attacked leaders and sought to destroy ministries, I have felt the sting of these attacks including hate mail, even wishing that I would get cancer.)

Ø       The time for repentance has come!

(2 Chronicles 7:13-14 NIV)  "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, {14} if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

\\ After Repentance comes commitment…

As a pastor I am asked to fill many roles…