Prayer of the Afflicted – Psalm 6

1. Read: Psalm 6

2. About the Text:

1) This is a psalm that it uttered in affliction.

2) The psalmist has some kind of physical affliction that is threatening his life.

3) He says that he is withered away and his bones are troubled.

4) Does God stand with us when we are at our most vulnerable?

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. From God’s Anger (1)

1) It is common to think that God would be angry with us when we are suffering.

2) He asks God not to rebuke or chasten him out of His anger.

3) “God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11 NKJV).

4) “But thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth” (Psalm 86:15).

5) “He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).

2. From Physical Pain (2)

1) The psalmist has physical weakness that he describes as being withered.

2) He has some physical pain that he feels in his bones.

3) He asks for mercy or relief from these symptoms.

4) God doesn’t always heal us – 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 – “Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

5) “Erastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick” (2 Timothy 4:20).

6) Epaphroditus healed – “for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow” (Philippians 2:27).

1. From Emotional Pain (3)

1) His soul is troubled.

2) He asks the Lord, “How long?”

3) Emotional pain is usually more difficult than physical pain.

4) “For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus” (2 Corinthians 7:5-6).

2. From Death (4-5)

1) He asks deliverance for the sake of the Lord’s covenant faithfulness.

2) He considers that God is not remembered or thanked by the dead.

3) God can and will save us from untimely death.

4) “God is unto us a God of deliverances; And unto Jehovah the Lord belongeth escape from death” (Psalm 68:20).

5) “He that is stedfast in righteousness shall attain unto life; And he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death” (Proverbs 11:19).

6) “And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

1. We have a picture of grief in verses 6-7.

1) Exhaustion (6) – he is weary with groaning.

2) Lack of Sleep (6) – he can’t sleep due to pain.

3) Sadness/Pain (6) – he weeps at night constantly.

4) Numbness (7) – his eyes “waste away,” becoming old, perhaps dry.

5) Enmity (7) – his adversaries invade his thoughts to create more grief.

2. God sees our griefs and sorrows.

1) “Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7).

2) “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways” (Psalm 139:1-3).

3) “casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

1. In spite of the enemy (8) – he commands his enemy to depart.

2. Because of intensity (8) – the LORD hears our grief.

3. Because of persistence (9) – the LORD hears when we pray regularly.

4. Because of asking (9) – the LORD receives the content of our prayers.

5. Because of faith (10) – we pray in faith with confidence that the LORD will respond.

6. God hears and answers prayers.

1) Psalm 103:8-14

2) “For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears unto their supplication: But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:12).

3) “Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24).

4) “When a man’s ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7).

1. Psalm 6 is a prayer of . . .

1) Mercy.

2) Deliverance.

3) Grief.

4) Received.

2. Invitation