Psalms Enough Already Psalm 6

Transcription

1 Psalms Enough Already Psalm 6 O ne of the more difficult times of my life was when I first was seriously considering leaving my career of many years to enter the ministry full time. The decision was difficult for many reasons. First, there were the many years I spent in the hospital field, and the sense of security that goes with competence. Second, there was the very real fear that I was jumping the gun and simply trying to escape a difficult situation in the hospital, as opposed to being clearly led by the Lord into ministry. Besides, how would I find a job, having no degree in the ministerial area, and the related question: how would we manage financially? Add to all of this, the fact that Janette had been trying to get out of a job she hated for a number of years, and if I made this move, she would have to postpone looking for another job. How could we justify my needs being placed ahead of hers? And so over a number of months, there were many nights when my struggles were very similar to those expressed by the psalmist in Psalm 6. And I suspect that as we examine it here, you too will find something familiar. Haven t there been times when you feel like saying to the Lord, Enough Already!? PSALM 6 For the director; with stringed instruments; upon the the eighth. A psalm of David. 2 O Yahweh, do not reprove me in your anger, nor in your wrath chastise me. 3 Have pity on me, O Yahweh, for I am spent, heal me, O Yahweh, for my bones are racked. 4 My spirit is greatly racked, but you, O Yahweh, how long? 5 Return, Yahweh, rescue my life, save me as befits your kindness. 6 For no one in Death remembers you, in Sheol, who praises you? 7 I am weary with sobbing; Each night I soak my bed, with tears my couch I drench. 8 My eye is dimmed with sorrow, my heart has grown old from pining. 9 Depart from me, all evildoers, for Yahweh has heard the sound of my weeping. 10 Yahweh has heard my plea,

2 Yahweh has accepted my prayer. 11 Let all my foes be humbled and greatly shaken, let them return, be humbled in Perdition. 1 Introduction: Once again we are going to enter the world of the poet, the psalmist. Our approach, as in previous messages, will be to look at the background of the specific psalm, its text and finally, how we can apply it to our own walk. Some scholars feel this psalm represents a plea to God in the midst of some physical illness. This understanding comes from a literal interpretation of verse 3. In contrast, others believe the best reading focuses on an awareness of sin in the life of the author. Here the focus shifts to verse 4. Looking at the overall context, I follow the view that the content deals with sin, which is why the psalm is often called The Penitential Psalm. While there is some physical suffering, it seems to be a product of spiritual pain. Whichever view we take, one point is clear: the psalm relates the difficulties and sufferings of the individual himself. This is in contrast to many psalms where the focus, although expressed in the first person, is representative of the cry of the nation Israel as a whole. Now let s move on to the text proper. The psalm can be broken down into three parts: 1. The first (2-4), deals with the CRY OF PAIN expressed by the poet. 2. The second section (5-8), focuses on a PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE. 3. The third part (9-11), expresses a response of CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD. Verses 2-4: The psalmist expresses a CRY OF PAIN. The pain does seem to have a physical aspect. He has been tossing and turning all night long, unable to sleep, with every bone in his body aching. He may be feeling that the physical suffering is a result of God s anger with him, but more likely his agony is in response to his sense of some type of sin for which he feels that he deserves God s wrath. Out of his misery he cries to God for mercy. His problem has arisen, not out of fear of God as much as the realization of his own failings. It is important to realize that God can be angry with our sin, even when loving us, and can deal with us out of that righteous anger. It is this anger that is feared and it is the Lord s mercy that is desired. There is also the realization that the suffering and weaknesses of His children can move God to extend His mercy. Verses 5-8: And so out of the psalmist s pain comes the PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE. O Lord, enough already! He has reached the point where he desires God s mercy, demon- 1 Dahood, Mitchell, The Anchor Bible, Psalms 1, Doubleday & Company, Inc., New York, NY, 1978, p. 37. ) 2 (

3 strated by relief from his suffering. He feels as if God has moved away from Him. It feels like his prayers are bouncing off the ceiling. All night his thoughts run rampant. He can find no comfort. His hours are taken up with weeping and a sense of the futility of life. We might rightfully say, that he is looking at the waves, not at the Lord! What isn t clear in verse 5 is what exactly is meant by the statement that men in the grave don t praise God. There is no doubt that in the Old Testament the concept of the afterlife is not as clearly delineated as it is in the New, although it does appear that David looked forward to it with anticipation. This following account is given at the death of his child from the illicit relationship with Bathsheba. He answered, While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live. But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me (2 Samuel 12:22-23). Many accept this as David s testimony to faith in the afterlife. Well then, how should we understand the passage? I don t think we can be sure, but one way of understanding it might as Spurgeon explains: If I die, then must my mortal praise at least be suspended; and if I perish in hell, then thou wilt never have any thanksgiving from me. 2 In other words, the author is offering up his praise and testimony as the product of his relief from the mercy of God. In addition, his very state of depression may be creating doubt in his faith and concern over his salvation, which he expresses in this form. Who the author s foes are is not clear from the context. It may be those who relish his suffering, or who, as with the friends of Job, may be telling him that all his suffering is a direct result of the judgment of God. Through their mediation, he becomes even more overwhelmed by his condition. But that is soon to change. Verses 9-11: Suddenly there is a shift in outlook. Something has happened! Specifically what, we don t know, but in some manner God has manifested Himself to the poet, restoring his spirit and causing him to be aware of the Lord s answer to his need for relief. Where there was darkness, suddenly the light of God breaks forth. Maybe nothing has changed in circumstances, but something has in his perspective. He expresses CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD. This change in perspective, due to the work of God, is so clear it causes the author s enemies to respond with terror and shame. Their lack of awareness of the workings of God has been exposed and they can t face that exposure. For the psalmist the reality of the closeness of God nullifies the danger from his enemies, who now seem to have moved afar. He can rejoice in the reality of the Lord. Why is this the case? First, because God has heard his cries. Second, God has heard his words. Finally God, hearing the sincerity of his heart, responds to his prayer. 2 Spurgeon, C. H., The Treasury of David, Vol. 1, MacDonald Publishing Company, p. 58. ) 3 (

4 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5: 16). It is important to note that God will respond in the future, but the knowledge of that response brings confidence and comfort in the present. As Craigie notes: The psalmist s faith, in other words, outstripped the reality of any change in his physical condition. 3 While this passage (James), is speaking specifically about prayer related to the request for healing, the principle of God answering righteous prayer, that which is consistent with His will, is certainly applicable in the context in which it is applied. Conclusion: In summary, the movement of the psalm seems to flow through three phases. It shifts from the sufferings that comes from a recognition of sin and the accompanying feeling of separation from God. Turning to the Lord in recognition of personal failure and His undeserved grace leads to the realization of His restoration. Our psalmist has passed from feeling alienated from God to an awareness of His presence and the comfort which it provides. So here we are. All night we ve been tossing and turning. Our circumstances not only aren t getting better, but at one o clock in the morning they seem to be going from bad to worse. It s no wonder that we feel like saying, Lord, enough already! And for whatever comfort you can take from this, you re in good company, for it seems that we all have been in this place at one time or another. The concern isn t with the fact that we sometimes find ourselves feeling this way. Our concern should be, how do we handle these times? How do we move from a focus on circumstances to a focus on the Lord? The sin isn t the temptation to say enough already, the sin is demanding that God bring us relief from our circumstances, even when that relief is contrary to His will. Essentially there are two ways we can respond to these times. First, we can respond in the wrong way. We can focus on the waves. We not only look at the problems, the concerns, the pain, but we examine them with a magnifying glass. We not only see what is currently occurring, but we obsess about everything else that can go wrong. And we tend to excuse this behavior by saying we can t help it, we are genetically conditioned to focus on the negative. I m Jewish so I m naturally pessimistic! Some say; If I anticipate the worst, then I won t be surprised when it happens and will be able to handle it. And if by any strange circumstance the good happens, that I ll be pleasantly surprised! But what happens is that the darkness increases and we become more distressed. This way of dealing with life is essentially sin, for panic leads to an demanding heart. Life no longer comes from God, but from relief. We are directly disobeying God s commands. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). 3 Craigie, Peter C., Word Biblical Commentary, Psalms 1-50, Word Publishing, Waco, TX, 1983, p. 95. ) 4 (

5 This passage in Philippians gives us a view of what the correct response needs to be in these painful times. There are two steps in rising from the bed of sorrow and being able to say with the psalmist; The Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer (vs. 8-9). These times are to be dealt with by prayers of thanksgiving and petition. Prayer is the weapon that we must wield against the attacks of the night. We must develop the habit of a constant, on-going communication with the Lord. Remember that a great part of the pain expressed in the psalm came from the feeling of separation from the Lord. If we are aware of His presence, then we will derive comfort from that presence. This is what Paul is referring to when he says; Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Granted we all realize that prayer is to be a major part of our lives, but this concept of constant prayer is something we often miss. If our lives are an ongoing conversation with the Lord, then we will know that He is with us and will comfort us. Also, as we remember that conversation is two-sided, we will hopefully listen to what He has to say and therefore will have His reassurance that He is in control. One way we will receive that reassurance is, as a regular part of our prayers of petition, giving thanks for what He has already done in our lives and the lives of those around us. Yes, we can pray for relief. Yes, we can ask the Lord to bring us out of our pain. If we are in conversation with the Lord, then certainly we will tell Him all that is on our hearts, including the desire to get out from under the pile. This is certainly appropriate, provided our first desire is to put His will before ours. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it (John 14:13-14). (emphasis mine) By including thanksgiving with our prayer we will find what Paul in this Philippians passage points out as a solution to fear. Remember that the key to being able to walk on water is to seek after the Lord. Consider the words of David to his son Solomon. And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you (1 Chronicles 28:9). The Lord loves and cares for us. If we remind ourselves of His many blessings, we will be able to bring life back into perspective. We know we can trust the Lord because He is trustworthy. ) 5 (

6 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? (Psalm 56:4) Final Comments: Counting sheep doesn t seem to work very well on the nights where the waves seem to be washing over us. Instead of sheep, maybe we should be counting the blessings of the Lord. If we remember what the Lord has done for us, things come back into perspective. We remember once again that life comes from God. Yes, we ve all experienced times when the waves of life seem to be overwhelming. We want to cry out enough already! The solution is not a change in circumstances, but a change in focus. We must move our attention from the waves to the Lord. We do this by two specific types of prayer, thanksgiving and petition. The key to living above our circumstances, not under them, is by clinging to the Lord, to the reality of His presence in our lives and the comfort that comes with the knowledge that the Creator of the Universe loves and cares for us. These then are the steps to resting in God when rest seems to elude us. And so, may we be able to sing with Jean Pigott: Jesus, I am resting, resting In the joy of what Thou art; I am finding out the greatness Of Thy loving heart. thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee, And Thy beauty fills my soul, For by Thy transforming power Thou hast made me whole. 4 4 Pigott, Jean Sophia, Jesus, I Am Resting, Music copyright Marshall, Morgan and Scott. ) 6 (