A Psalm for Saturday

I’ve had a rough couple of weeks. My son and I have been sick multiple times in two weeks, and this week we both ran fevers and caught pink eye. I also got some other news that was just adding on to my stress and worries and I was just wanting to give up.

Last night, I read Psalm 6 and it really stuck out at me. Here are a few thoughts that encouraged me that I hope will encourage you too!

“O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?”

This is a Psalm of David. David is tired. He’s having more than just a bad day, he’s having a bad couple of months and maybe even a bad year. He’s on the run from his enemies and he just can’t take it anymore. I love that he says, “Have mercy on me, Oh Lord; for I am weak.” David is not afraid to be humble. He tells it like it is. He can’t be strong anymore. He’s weak, he wants to give up. He’s asking God for mercy because he just can’t take it anymore.

“Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?  I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.”

In these next verses, David is asking for deliverance. He says, “…in death, there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?” He’s reminding God that if he dies, he won’t be able to thank, worship or praise Him anymore.

He is so upset that his tears have overwhelmed him. He describes having so many tears that his bed is just overflowing with them because he is crying all night long. Can you imagine crying that much? David was seriously hurting.

“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.”

This last part of this psalm is my favorite. All of a sudden David’s prayer changes. He has confidence that God has heard his prayers. He is so confident that he tells his enemies to beware. He isn’t worried anymore because he knows God is going to take care of him.

Oh for the confidence and trust that David had! Even though it’s been a hard week, God showed me in this Psalm that He is still there and taking care of me and He’s doing the same for you too. He is always listening even when it feels like he’s not there. We just have to trust.