Psalm 6 – Do Not Rebuke Me
The first line of Psalm 6 – do not rebuke me, raises questions. Why is the writer afraid of being rebuked? What did he do? Or even more important – what image of God does the writer have to cause this concern?
Psalm 6
The writer of Psalm 6 is experiencing physical health problems.
“Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.” (2)
He is also experiencing spiritual anguish because of his suffering. Like so many in pain, he asks God, “how long?”
“My soul is in deep anguish.
How long, Lord, how long?” (3)
Or perhaps he is grieving – grieving because of his poor health, from being attacked by enemies, or from the loss of a loved one. Those who grieve or who are feeling maligned often spend sleepless nights.
“I am worn out from my groaning.
All night long I flood my bed with weeping
and drench my couch with tears.
My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
they fail because of all my foes.” (6-7)
He pleads his case before God –
“Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love.
Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
Who praises you from the grave?” (4-5)
In the end, God hears his cries –
“Away from me, all you who do evil,
for the Lord has heard my weeping.
The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;
the Lord accepts my prayer.” (8-9)
Psalm 6 – Do Not Rebuke Me
The writer of Psalm 6 is like a child, caught with their hand in the cookie jar or who has broken a vase or a window and is fearful of their parents’ punishment. They cry out to their parents for mercy.
“Don’t be angry with me,” they say. Then they may offer excuses, or reasons why they should be forgiven.
“The cookie jar was sitting on the counter where I could reach it,” they might say. Or, “I was playing inside since I couldn’t go outside.” All to cajole their parents into forgiving them.
In response, the parents hug the child and forgive them, not because of the child’s reasoning, but because of their love for their penitent child.
Image of God in Psalm 6
Psalm 6 is the first of the penitential psalms. The writer cries out to God, seeking mercy.
The early Hebrew community believed that ill health was a sign of God’s displeasure. Perhaps the writer thought he had done something wrong which resulted in his failing health. In line 4 he asks God to deliver him because of God’s unfailing love, but if that’s not enough, he seeks to persuade God by saying if he were dead, he would not be able to praise God in the grave. This supposes a God who has to be convinced to help his children rather than a God of unfailing mercy and kindness.
Often, we may react in the same way, fearing God’s retribution rather than trusting in God’s loving kindness. We may not believe that God can forgive us for what we have done or not done. But our God is always ready to extend forgiveness to those who are truly repentant, like our psalmist in Psalm 6.
Do you have an image of God as punishing and unforgiving? Where does that image come from? Were your parents unforgiving? How can you let go of an outdated image of God and allow God to embrace you with love?
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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