Psalm 6
Notes
Transcript
Title: For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments, according to Sheminith. A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.
2 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony.
3 My soul is deeply distressed. How long, O LORD, how long?
4 Turn, O LORD, and deliver my soul; save me because of Your loving devotion.
5 For there is no mention of You in death; who can praise You from Sheol?
6 I am weary from groaning; all night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.
7 My eyes fail from grief; they grow dim because of all my foes.
8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the LORD has heard my weeping.
9 The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.
General observations:
Title: For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments, according to Sheminith. A Psalm of David.
Written by David (no other circumstances given - possibly same circumstances as Psalms 3-5, when David was running from Absalom)
A song to be sung with instrumental accompaniment
Sheminith - literally means “eighth” - perhaps eighth key (octave) or starting on the eighth string?
David expresses that it feels like God is treating him like He should be treating David’s enemies (Absalom, Ahithophel, etc.); David feels like he’s getting God’s wrath, but his enemies should be getting it. In the midst of this he clings in faith to God’s promises and character.
Parallels with Psalm 2 (Other parallels with other previous Psalms too, but very close connection with Psalm 2)
6:1 with 2:5 & 12 “wrath”
6:1 with 2:10 “correct me” (discipline BSB) /receive correction (be admonished BSB)
6:2-3 with 2:5 “terrified”
6:8-9 with 2:8 The Lord hears prayer / ask me
6:10 with 2:5 “dismayed” / terrifies (same word)
Four Sections of Psalm 6.
How long, O LORD? (v. 1-3)
Rescue me so I can praise You (v. 4-5)
Deep grief because of enemies (v. 6-7)
Confidence in God (v. 8-10)
What does this Psalm say about God (His character, works, & promises)?
The LORD doesn’t always do things the way we expect; sometimes he allows the righteous to suffer and the wicked to prosper (v. 1-3)
The LORD is faithful and loving (v. 4)
The LORD deserves praise (v. 5)
The LORD hears the cry and prayer of the righteous (v. 8-9)
The LORD will be victorious over His enemies (v. 10)
What emotions or feelings are expressed?
Anger/wrath, v. 1
Agony/distress, v. 2-3 (literally “terrified” or “horrified”)
Grief, v. 6-7
Shame/terror, v. 10
Is there a Theme or Key Verse that stands out to you?
v. 4: “Turn, O LORD, and deliver my soul; save me because of Your loving devotion.” - request made on the basis of God’s faithful character and promises (Psalm 2?)
v. 9: “The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.” - confidence in God’s deliverance because of His promises and character.
What comparisons or contrasts do you notice?
Wicked vs. righteous
What other observations do you have?
.
Christ Connections
v. 3-5: “My soul is deeply distressed. How long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, and deliver my soul; save me because of Your loving devotion. For there is no mention of You in death…” Jesus alludes to these verses in John 12:27
27 Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour.
v. 8 “Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity” sounds a lot like what Jesus says in Matthew 7:23; those who remain in opposition to Him will be ashamed and terrified (v. 10) when He comes to judge
23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’
Applications: In what ways do I need to change based on the truth God reveals here?
(Desires / Feelings, Thinking, Speaking, or Acting)
I must trust God’s promises and character even when circumstances seem to be telling me otherwise
I must pray confidently based on God’s character and promises (and study His Word more so I know His character and promises)
What prayers can we make based on this Psalm?
Confession - I confess that
Praise - I praise You, God for
Thanks - Thank You, Lord, for
Petition - Please help me to
Psalms, Volumes 1 & 2 Bridge
In this fallen world all of God’s children will at times feel that the wicked are blessed while the righteous are cursed. David’s response to those feelings is exemplary and typological. It is exemplary in that it models unwavering trust in God, honesty before God, and a boldness to call on God to keep his promises. It is typological in that David’s prayer in Ps 6 points to one who, unlike David, will not suffer for his own sins but for the sins of his people (note the allusion to Ps 6:3 [MT 6:4] in John 12:27), one who willingly takes upon himself the punishment due the enemies of God, who weeps over those who have rejected him, and whose vindication will indeed bring about the shamed terror of those who hate him, those who will meet a sudden destruction.
