Our last Psalm for this week: Psalm 6

This Psalm deals with fear. Fear is something that all of us, at one stage of our lives or another, have experienced. Many verses in Scripture command us to not be afraid (eg Ps 46:2), but there is also Biblical truth that assists us to overcome fear.

We have been told that ‘perfect love casts out all fear’ (1 Jn 4:18) When we are recipients of that perfect love – the love of G-d – it is going to cause us not to be fearful, but to overcome fear – whether it is real or perceived.

We are not going to go through the inscription again, as these terms have all been dealt with in previous chapters.

v1: Rebuke – a word related to discipline. This verse alludes to the fact that David has done something he shouldn’t have (he is guilty) and this has put him into a position of fear before G-d (he knows that sin has consequences).

Note: David was someone who always turned to G-d – no matter what circumstance he found himself in (Acts 13:22 – the testimony G-d had about David). This is one of the most precious principles of Scripture – G-d is available to His redeemed no matter what we have done or no matter what we are going through.

· Anger…hot displeasure: David knows he deserves discipline, but he is petitioning G-d not to discipline him in the heat of the moment.

v2: Mercy: grace or favour. David realizes that he should be receiving G-d’s anger, never-the- less he has hope that, based upon grace, G-d will be gracious to him.

· Weak: David is in a situation that is making him feel miserable. He knows that he has no right, no merit before G-d, for G-d to show him favour. David knows though that G-d shows favour and grace to those who do not deserve it.

· Bones: The foundation of a human being, the very essence of an individual. David is asking G-d to heal him from the inside out.

· The word used here as ‘troubled’ is a word for being in a state of panic. A very great fear has seized David and is affecting every aspect of his being (Someone in this state may begin to shake, they can’t function properly, and they make horrible decisions).

v3: Soul – inner man. The use of this word ‘soul’ implies that this fear is not only affecting David physically but also spiritually.

· Same word ‘troubled’ used. This feeling of being out of control, shaken to the core, due to excessive fear is being emphasised.

· The Hebrew word used here that is translated ‘how long’ is a word that is most often used Scripturally in regard to a Kingdom deliverance – a redemption, a rescue. David wants to be delivered from the circumstances of this world – he wants the outcome of redemption (David has a Kingdom expectation/hope). Kingdom hope helps us to endure what we have to endure while on earth (Roms 8:18-25)

v4: ‘Return’ – Probably because of David’s guilt G-d is moving in a specific direction. David is asking G-d to make a change in direction, to move differently.

· Deliver: To set free, to assist. When you take a cork out of a champagne bottle there is a pop and a release of liquid from the highly pressured environment. This is an example of what this word kind of means in this context. David wants a release from his burdens, hardships and problems that he has created by his own disobedience. G-d still helps those who have disobeyed – if they repent and truly want to see a right change in their lives.

· Save – It is only through G-d’s grace or mercy that we are saved from anything. The grace David is needing here is the aspect of grace which involves forgiveness and restoration (Titus 2:11). David wants to be restored back into a place of right relationship with G-d – back to a place where he is able to obey G-d and fulfil the purposes of G-d. If grace is not related to the purpose and will of G-d then it is not a Biblical grace. Grace restores us, but its second function is to keep us away from ungodliness (Titus 2:-11-14)

v5: The word “remembrance” (remember) is a covenantal word. There are numerous examples Scripturally of the L-rd remembering…and then moving in that situation (Gen 8:1, Gen 9:12-17, Ex 2:24 etc). What David is saying here is that when we have physically died we cannot fulfil our covenantal obligations to G-d. David is asking G-d to extend grace and mercy to him (not to be angry with him etc) so that David does not die before these covenantal obligations are met in his life while he is still alive. David still wants to be an influence in this world, to fulfil the purpose of G-d in his generation, ie while he is still alive (Acts 13:36)

· To be able to give thanks means that you have a testimony. G-d has shown His goodness to you and you are able to speak/testify about it to others. While we are alive we are called to be thankful – express gratitude.

v6: David has come to the end of himself. He is utterly exhausted spiritually and physically. He has reached his physical and spiritual breaking point.

· This word ‘groaning’ is frequently used in regard to praying (Roms 8:22-23, Roms 8:26-27)

· Make my bed swim…drench my couch…tears: David has cried copious tears of repentance.

v7: David is remorseful over what he has done, the situation that he has placed himself into. David has been interceding and there hasn’t been a response from G-d. David has reached out,

he’s asked for a change in his circumstances, but this time he’s doesn’t seem to be getting it.

· Grows old – a lot of time has passed in which David has been in the midst of his enemies. David is suffering, he is in a difficult situation. He’s turned to G-d but there seems to be no response, so this has caused him to be greatly afraid.

v8: workers of iniquity: individuals who have no fear of G-d. They are harassing/injuring/afflicting David.

· The L-rd has heard – a change takes place here. David is experiencing a breakthrough. This means that G-d’s going to be active in his life again. He is going to restore David to a place whereby David can once again serve Him.

v9: It is only through G-d’s grace that His favour rests on our lives. David did not have this breakthrough right at the beginning or in the middle of this long crises – he had it right at the end – at his breaking point. This should be an encouragement to us – we must not give up with interceding, praying and bringing our petitions before G-d. G-d will respond. He loves to restore.

v10: Greatly troubled – this is the same word David used twice (in v2&3) referring to being so exceedingly afraid that he was shaken to the very core.

· Enemies – those who want to hinder us from doing the will of G-d in our lives, who do not want us to live obediently.

· Let them turn – As G-d turns toward David the enemies turn away. G-d’s change of direction causes the enemies to change direction.

Note: Context would lead us to this conclusion: David did something wrong – something outside of G-d’s will. He is repentant. However, some individuals are opposed to his repentance and to him turning back in obedience toward G-d. Because they are standing in opposition to restoration David has confidence that G-d is going to remove them, that G-d is going to make them to be ashamed and exceedingly fearful.

· Suddenly – this is a word that speaks about how G-d is able to bring a quick change into our circumstances. Things may have dragged on for weeks or months, but G-d can change all of that in an instant!