Sunday, April 18, 2004 pm
LORD, DO NOT REBUKE ME
PSALM 6
Psalm 6 is referred to by some as the first penitent psalm, of which there are 5. A penitent psalm is one about one’s repentance. In this psalm we find David in distress. It is believed to have been written the same time as the ones previous to this, which was when David in his later life was forced to flee Jerusalem because of the rebellion of his son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15-17). If that is the occasion, going to God in repentance would certainly apply. Remember that after David sinned with Bathsheba, among the punishments he would endure included – adversity from within his own house and his wives would be taken and defiled - 2 Samuel 12:11-12 . Absalom did both of these (2 Samuel 16:21-22). While in the wilderness as word of these things come to David, I can only imagine his anguish – a rebellious son who has rejected him AND God. David, with humility cries to God – Read Psalm 6.
This lesson will be presented in 2 parts. Part 1 we will notice some of the elements of true repentance. Part 2 will observe some other lessons from this psalm.
I. True Repentance
A. What is repentance?
a. Lit. it means – to change one’s mind. The idea is more than just that, but it implies a change of mind (or heart) which leads to a true change of conduct.
b. 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 describes true, complete repentance. It is a clearing of oneself.
B. Often when we sin, there are consequences.
a. How we react to those consequences will determine whether we are seeking God’s favor or not.
b. As we see the consequences of our sins, such ought to humble us to repent. Sometimes the consequences of our sins might be the chastening of the Lord – Hebrews 12:5-11
C. Vs. 1 – O Lord, Do not rebuke me in Your anger –
a. When we sin, it is to God that we need to turn for forgiveness.
b. Psalm 51:4 – David acknowledges that it is against God that he had sinned.
c. God is the one from whom we NEED forgiveness.
d. Often when one uses profanity and they find out that I am a preacher they begin to apologize. While I consider it a blessing that some are considerate because of my profession, the truth is – they don’t need to apologize to me BUT TO GOD!
D. Vs. 2 - Have mercy on me…heal me.
a.
Often sin is referred to as disease or sickness,
especially concerning Israel of old.
Isaiah 1:5, “Why should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more.
The whole head is sick, And the whole heart faints.”
Jesus referred to Himself as the “Physician” who came to heal the sick – Mark
2:17
b. David realized that God was his only source of forgiveness (healing).
c. When we sin, God is our only hope! Romans 7:24 – Who will deliver me, “I thank God through Jesus Christ.”
E. Vs. 3, 6 – We see great sorrow.
a. David’s sorrow is described as great anguish – his bones are troubled (vs. 3) and the tears pour out all night long (every night).
b. What would cause this type of grief? For David, a man loyal to God I believe it was two fold – 1) because of the tragedy that is unfolding and 2) it all happened because of his sins.
c. When we sin, do we really consider the consequences of our actions? Our prisons are filled with godless souls that don’t care. Society is full of selfish, cruel and hardened people.
d. But repentance ought to produce godly sorrow.
e. You can be sorry for a number of different reasons – i.e. - you got caught, the consequences of what you did, etc. But godly sorrow is a realization of sin and a desire to make it right with Him. When we consider our sins before God (and perhaps others) do we show true remorse and sorrow – to the degree that David mourned on this occasion?
F. Vs. 8-9 - We need to accept God’s forgiveness
a. Notice first of all, the suddenness of the change in David’s psalm. Immediately he turns from mourning and repentance to confidence that God has heard him and forgiven him.
b. Often the most difficult part of repentance is accepting forgiveness from God. We ask God to forgive us, but are we willing to accept it from Him (cf. James 1:6).
c. Will we forgive ourselves so that we can get on with our lives?
II. Observations
A. The problem of suffering – in this psalm we see great suffering, but let us not forget that it originated with sin.
a. Far too many today want to blame God for suffering, but in reality is it a product of sin.
b. The friends of Job urged him to confess his sins – but Job knew better. That having been said, there is a great lesson about suffering we learn from Job – God ALLOWS it!
c. But can good come from suffering? Absolutely
i. David is closer to God because of this. He is totally putting his trust in Him.
ii. Suffering makes this world less appealing – we despise Satan and long for heaven
iii. Suffering sometimes brings out the best in us and others
d. From this Psalm we learn of suffering to turn to God for strength.
B. Vs. 4-5 – Behold, NOW is the time. There is no remembrance of God in the grave
a. This is not saying we will not live on. Even David understood that as he said in another psalm, “You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor allow your holy one to see corruption.” (Psalm 16:10)
b. The point here is that there are no more chances or turning to God when this life is over. There is no crying to God with the hopes that He will change His mind.
c.
In this verse we also find a sense of urgency that we
constantly need to remind ourselves of – 2 Corinthians 6:2 – NOW is the accepted
time, NOW is the day of salvation.
Hebrews 3:12-15 tells us TODAY we are to exhort one another…
C. Vs. 8 – Depart from me…
a. David knows that now, since he has been forgiven, he needs to stay away for workers of iniquity. Those who would destroy him.
b. His son, Solomon wrote, “If sinners entice you, do not consent” (Prov. 1:10)
c.
We ought to avoid “workers of iniquity” – 1
Corinthians 6:18 – flee sexual immorality; 1 Corinthians 10:14 – flee idolatry;
2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee youthful lusts
Ephesians 5:11 – have NO fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but
rather expose them
d. Such is a key to maintaining a godly life.
D. Vs. 10 - David prays that his enemies be defeated. Is this a valid prayer?
a. First of all consider what and WHY he is praying? Because his enemies are ALSO the enemies of God. His desire is that God’s will prevail
b. Second, he leaves it up to God who will be the judge – Romans 12:19-21
c. We will discuss this in more detail in our next psalm
Thus we see some lessons we can learn from this psalm. Is there sin in your life? Has your sin driven you from God and into a state of misery? If so, then learn from David: Repent and turn back to Him accepting his forgiveness in your life. If you are not a Christian yet, it begins by putting on the Lord in baptism (Galatians 3:27). If you are not ready to stand before God, do it today, while there is still time.