God Hears Supplications of the Righteous

by Samuel A. Matthews

“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? 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. 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” (Psalm 6:1-10, KJV).

Loved ones, this psalm must have been written after a sleepless night. It is the first of the “penitential” psalms, of which there were seven: 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143. Though David's fall is well known, his repentance is also well documented. This is one of those times when he makes his feelings known.

It seems he has been through, or is going through, a trying ordeal at the time of this writing, and he feels a connection between his suffering and the grievous sin he has committed. He senses God's displeasure and knows there is some distance between him and God. He has been brought low by what he considers God's chastisement. Thus, he appeals to God.

His Appeal (Psalms 6:1-3)

Psalms 6:1

The writer does not deny that he deserves rebuke, nor does he deny that he deserves chastisement. All he asks is that it not be in anger or hot displeasure. David would not look forward to the wrath of God any more than we would. He knew it was not something to be taken lightly. David knew he could not withstand the full force of God's anger, and he realized that God had perfect reason to be angry in his case.

Psalms 6:2

Though he might deserve the very opposite, you will find him pleading for mercy. But don't we all do the same when called upon to face the consequences of our sinful actions? Wasn't this the plea of the publican (Luke 18:13-14)? The writer lets us look into his heart and soul and see how much sin affected him. It has made him a weak man. His body has been affected by what he has done. He has not escaped the stress and strain of sin.

Psalms 6:3

When David refers to the suffering of the soul, he shows just how deep the suffering is. The effect of sin is not limited to the body; it goes deeper and affects the soul. In his case, he admits that both soul and body are adversely affected. Out of that suffering he cries, “How long?"

His Anguish (Psalms 6:4-7)

Psalms 6:4

With the cry, "Return O Lord," we see an awareness on the part of the writer that sin causes a separation between God and man. David knew God had turned from him because of sin, for he is "of purer eyes than to behold evil” (Habakkuk 1:13). Yes, he faced the distress and anguish of sin and also of separation.

Psalms 6:5

From this passage, it seems David thought death was close. He appealed for rescue, for then he would be helpless and hopeless. He, thus, pleads to be saved by God's mercy.

Psalms 6:6

One can never doubt the writer's sincerity. His soul gave way to groaning that did not cease. He has rolled and tumbled through the night. Such had made him weary of the burden of sin.

Psalms 6:7

Not only do you have his weariness of soul and body, but you also have his weeping. He has already spoken of watering his couch or bed with tears. He speaks of his eyes growing red and feeble through many, many tears. Sin does that to a man. Did not Peter go out into the night and weep bitterly (Luke 22:62)?

His Assurance (Psalms 6:8-10)

Psalms 6:8

The tone of his prayer changes. He is now assured that God has heard his cry. He now emerges from the battle with sin and senses that God has heard his penitent plea. Yes, in his case, "godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation" (II Corinthians 7:10).

Psalms 6:9

He is now sure of the Lord's acceptance. He is now assured that God will hear his prayers. His confidence is back. He can approach life with new hope. He can also approach God in faith that he indeed will hear his prayers. He knows he is coming in the right attitude. He knows his heart is right, and as long as it is, God will look upon him with favor. Has not God said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will hear their land” (II Chronicles 7:14).

This is something that David knew that he had done. He has no doubt therefore that God has heard his prayer. But how could he believe otherwise? He has God's word that he will hear and forgive, and to think less than that is unbelief.

Psalms 6:10

He has not only new confidence and hope, but also new courage. He can now turn to those who oppose him and call upon them to be ashamed of their conduct and the course they are following. He can now, with courage and confidence, face those who have opposed him. David is well aware of the folly of those who oppose or persecute the people of God. He knew beyond a shadow of doubt what the end of his enemies would be. He had seen such in the death of Goliath. We can thus see his confidence that his prayers had been heard. He will refer to this fact three times.

Conclusion

Yes, the "eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open unto their prayers" (I Peter 3:12), David has no doubt that God will look with favor unto the man with a contrite heart. He has become an apt illustration of this fact.

We have this same kind of assurance as we read of the Publican (Luke 18:13-14): He came with a humble and contrite heart and was heard. But that is no surprise to those who have read Psalm 6.