Psalm 6
Dear RTB’ers,
Today’s Psalm 6 reads like a lament. I mentioned a few days ago of something I learned from our trip through the Psalms two years ago – synonyms for commands / commandments that helped me appreciate the Psalms more and understand them better. Today another item came up from 2022 – understanding laments. One of my Study Bibles two years ago listed the elements of a lament. We have three of those today: a cry for help (Ps. 6:1-3); the psalmist’s situation (his foes, Ps. 6:7-8); and an expression of confidence in the Lord’s deliverance (Ps. 6:8b-10).
Two other elements of a classic lament are missing (or hidden) in Psalm 6 – the psalmist’s protestation of innocence or prayer for vindication; and thanksgiving or grateful recognition for God’s help. I suppose it could be argued that verse 4b is something like David proclaiming his innocence or seeking vindication, but I see it more as a cry for mercy, …save me for the sake of your steadfast love, a recognition that he can do nothing without God’s help. Finally, surprisingly, I do not see thanksgiving in Psalm 6. I see a great deal of complaining and a lot of confidence in God’s help, but no real prayer of thanks.
Verse 5 is interesting, For in death there is no remembrance of You; in Sheol who will give You praise? David is “arguing” with God for his deliverance with an appeal to logic – if he’s dead, there is no “gain” for God, no one to praise Him, so God should deliver him. Interesting!
So, an introduction to laments. We’ll see quite a few more of those as we read on.
Blessings!