JANUARY 8
Psalm 6
Psalm 6:2, “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing.”
While the specific circumstances of this Psalm of David are unknown, it is apparent from the context that it is a psalm of penitence and confession. David found his soul deeply troubled– weary with his moaning, burdened with his grief, and tearful in his troubles.
The term translated “languishing,” is used to describe a state of weakness or feebleness, usually conveying a sense of being worn out or in a state of decline, whether that be physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Whether because of personal sin or otherwise, to languish is to deal with a prolonged, relentless, distress of some kind. An inmate languishes in his imprisonment; a drug user in his addiction; a cancer patient in his illness; a hospice patient in his pain; a bereaved person in his grief. To languish is not just to face some distress, but to endure it with no apparent remedy or relief.
The Psalmists response is instructive. He poured out his heart in prayer to God. As Archibald Smyson explained, “But coming before God, the most forcible argument that ye can use is your necessity, poverty, tears, misery, unworthiness, and confessing them to him, it shall be an open door to furnish you with all things that he hath.”
The Psalmist sought relief from God and was assured that God both heard and answered his prayer. It’s good and prudent to take such concerns to Him! There are hurts and troubles that God alone can heal.
“Though I deserve destruction, yet let thy mercy pity my frailty.”—Charles Spurgeon
Application questions: Can you relate to the Psalmists experience? Why might someone be reluctant to turn to God when they find themselves in an overwhelming situation? In what ways might God facilitate relief?
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