Psalm 6: Dark Nights

This passage is called a penitential psalm.  The author confesses his sin and asks God for his mercy and forgiveness.  The early church would have sung this on Ash Wednesday.  These words are an emotional outpouring from being hurt.  David was heavy-hearted, depressed, and weary and calls out to the Father in his grief.  

We can divide this passage up into two parts.  Verses 1-7 shows David in great distress.  His body, soul, and mind are in deep anguish.  He senses the anger of the Lord.  He can't sleep.  A night of restless burdens weighing on you usually clouds your perspective even more.  You start another day exhausted, weary, and sad.  I have been there many times.

The second part, verses 8-10, shifts gears.  David becomes aware of God's presence once again and moves out of his deep depression into renewed faith and bold conduct.  I love Romans 5:3-4 which says, "we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope."

Thank goodness the Lord does not leave us hanging, trying to figure out our place and our pursuit within any given situation.  Take comfort to think that He knows our feelings and situations and helps us focus on how to cope.  Like a child trying to figure out a math problem they need to press on and work through it, keep trying and soon they will come to a conclusion because they persevered.  Here Romans gives us the formula to work through tough times.  God never said life would be easy, how can it be in a fallen world?  But He tells us to expect trials, then to work through those trials because it grows and changes us for the better.

Verse 1 is great advise for confrontation.  Do NOT respond in anger.  Whether it's your children or your spouse or whomever, do not engage in an angry confrontation.  Walk away till things cool down and when you can think without so much emotion hanging over you.

Verse 3 is an example of calling upon the name of the Lord when you are troubled.  Seek deliverance, request light, wisdom and discernment. God is our pathway in the darkness.  Psalm 23's famous line of "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow..."  that very shadow is from God's light.  He is there in that valley with you!  Ask for mercy.  We are weak but God is strong.

Verse 8 is an answering touch from God enabling David to rebuke his foe.  He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world.  Answered prayer!  "The Lord has heard the voice of my weeping."

The Lord hears our petitions.  In the dark of the night know that He cares for you tenderly.  Press on...

Coram Deo,

E.W.