Psalm 6:1-10 To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD–how long? Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise? I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes. Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer. All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.”

 

Spurgeon says about this Psalm:

“This Psalm is commonly known as the first of The Penitential Psalms, and certainly its language well becomes the lip of a penitent, for it expresses at once the sorrow (Psa 6:3, Psa 6:6, Psa 6:7), the humiliation (Psa 6:2 and Psa 6:4), and the hatred of sin (Psa 6:8), which are the unfailing marks of the contrite spirit when it turns to God. O Holy Spirit, beget in us the true repentance which needeth not to be repented of.”

Yes, I agree. But as is my usual want, I’ll also go beyond this idea and suggest that it is a prayer of a contrite soul who does not FEAR God’s anger, only acknowledges it. What’s my basis for such an assertion?

“Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer. Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.” verses 8-10

Those are the words of a man who knows that all that is needed is sincere regret and prayer for forgiveness for God to blot out any transgressions. So certain is he that he tells any thoughts, inside or outside claiming different to shut up.

This is Isaiah 1:18 in practice. This is a man bringing his case to God and having the issue resolved in a contrite heart-beat.

Amen,
Henry