Psalm 6:1-10 – God gives strength to the weary

Troubles and undeserved suffering do come upon God’s people. It may not be due to anything we have done to warrant them, but they come upon us nonetheless. Here is a perspective that we must always remember: every event that happens to us, positive or negative, can either build us up or tear us down. We can either be empowered or be embittered. The outcome depends largely on how we view those events. Let’s tuck it somewhere in our heart and mind that God is in control of everything that happens to us. Things never happen in our life without God’s approval. That’s the reason Paul asserted in Romans 8:28 that, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  We can’t help but feel that David knew this fact long before Paul wrote it for us. How do we know? Take a look at Psalm 6.

Psalm 6 is another Psalm by David. Its content tells us that he is calling on God for help and mercy even as he confronts his troubles. Here David wasn’t confessing his sin. Neither was he seeking God’s forgiveness. He was asking for help and relief from his troubles which he did nothing to cause them. The reason he sounded as if they came upon him because of God’s anger and wrath was because David knew that nothing could ever happen to him without God’s approval. He knew how good God is and had no ill intention for him. But he also knew his own fallen frailty. There could possibly be flaws that he could have unknowingly committed that could have offended God. David refused to leave it to chance. He honestly submitted to God, trusting that the Sovereign would never deal with him in anger or wrath.

This Psalm tells us that anguish and distress can be quite debilitating. It saps the life out of the soul. Here we see the language of vexation. David was stressed, and sap of life by the troubles he encountered. Like everyone else, he was also seeking for relief. Like a withering plant he was shivering up. There was deep agony and he felt it in his bones. Besides his soul was extremely vexed. Seeking relief he cried out, asking the distress was for how long. “Lord how long?”     

Yet He was aware of God’s dependable love. It never fails. So he appealed to God’s unfailing love. This love that is steadfastly loyal and enduringly lasting, especially toward His covenant people. Having made his appeal, David then waited on God with expectation. Living in an interactive relationship with God, and assured of His love, David reasoned with God. David reckoned that if he dies, he could no longer offer praise to God. In fact, in that stage none could. Regardless of status, regardless of power, both the rich and powerful, and also the poor and powerless are equally humbled.  In Sheol no worship would be offered.    

Here we also see the language of exhaustion. David felt his couch drenched by his own tears. Sleep had fled from him as he struggled in great agony. There could be a possibility that he was also feeling unwell. But at his valley low experience, there seemed to be a dramatic turn for David. He shook off his despondency and adorned a victorious outlook. David was confident that God had heard his cry for help and that He could and would help. So he dismissed all his foes and all evil doers that harbored ill-intention against him. He even pronounced their doom. His mind polarized towards God’s faithfulness. He saw hope and his faith was renewed. Prophetically he declared his enemies’ defeat. It is impossible not to please God with such kind of faith.

Haven’t we been there at certain points in life? Haven’t we pleaded with God asking how long would the trouble last? Let’s never forget the mercy and loving-kindness of God. God always has the last say. Our life can never be over till God says it is over. Let’s arm our mind with the triumphant thought exclaimed by Paul in Romans, saying “Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus!”