Psalm Chapter 6

To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.

Psalm 6:1 O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

David pleas in Psalm 6 not to be rebuked in anger from the Lord and feels that he is in the Lord's disfavor. If we would listen to gentle correction and turn from our sin just as soon as we discover it, then we would not come to the place where we fear the Lord's anger.

How much more fruitful our lives would be if we would awake in the morning with the desire to please God. "What can I do for you today, Lord? What soul can I comfort? Who can I encourage?"

Psalm 6:2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

This is how we feel when we feel that we have failed in some way. We desire the mercy of God without which we could not survive.

Psalm 6:3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?

Unconfessed sin causes our souls to feel vexed and in confusion. We feel like the Lord is far away. When we repent and allow God to cleanse our sin, the vexed feeling leaves. There are also times when we are vexed for innocent reasons and not because of sin. Perhaps someone is vexing us with false accusations and complaints that are unwarranted. Sometimes Satanic influences can place thoughts and doubts in our mind that isn't from God. Satan sometimes brings back past sins to our mind that have been forsaken and forgiven by God. This will also hinder us if we don't fight against it.

Psalm 6:4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.

David cries out for mercy and for his soul to be delivered from sin.

Psalm 6:5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

Looks as if David fears for his life and he reminds the Lord that he cannot remember him and thank him if he is in the grave. Actually now that we know more about eternal life and the hope of the resurrection, we know that in reality the soul does not die and can indeed praise. A believer's soul is in heaven while waiting the resurrection. I'm sure David knew of the resurrection for he prophesied about it in other places, but I'm thinking he is looking at it from a human point of view at this point in his life.

The body cannot remember God without the spirit of life. The body cannot praise God after death. There are other scriptures that show us the soul is fully conscience after death. One is the words of Paul, "To be absent from the body is to be with the Lord."

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

His sorrow has compassed him about so much that none can comfort. This could be because he sinned, because he feels his natural enemies are overcoming him, his life is in danger or all of these at once.

Psalm 6:7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

His sorrow has caused such grief and he feels alone and surrounded by enemies. The enemies could be real physical enemies for David had many who desired to take his life: King Saul, David's son Absalom and many others. Enemies could also be our own besetting sin and temptations. The true enemy is the enemy of our souls who desires that we be defiled with sin and become unfruitful so that the work of God is hindered. Enemies could also be those that entice us into sin, which is even more dangerous than enemies who desire our lives.

Psalm 6:8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.
9 The LORD 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.

It now sounds as if those who gave him evil counsel surrounded David and he desires to be free from all workers of iniquity. It is good to know that when we are determined to serve the Lord and seek Him, we can overcome the hindrances to fruitfulness. This is why He gave us the word and this is why he gave us His Holy Spirit. We are not alone and we do not have to be swallowed up with besetting sin and allow ourselves to become barren and unfruitful. DC

Psalm Index

Psalm 7