Psalm 6 God Chastens His Children For Our Good

Psalm 6:1  To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 

This is another Psalm of David, a poem set to music for stringed instruments.

This Psalm focuses on David being corrected or rebuked by the LORD for some unknown sin.

When the Spirit of God does not tell us what the specific circumstances were that prompted this Psalm, it is best not to speculate.

If God wanted us to know why He rebuked King David, He would have included it in the inspired record.

Therefore, this prayer can serve as a reminder for us about God's loving work of chastening each one of His children when we need it.

His reproof is always meant for our good, to help us confess and forsake sin and to draw us closer to God.

The Lord sometimes rebukes us by His spirit, and sometimes by His word  and sometimes by His providential ordering of our lives.

His goal is to make us aware of our sin so that we can confess it, forsake it and receive the cleansing and forgiveness that He promises to give.

The causes of God's chastening are many and varied.

We may love the things of the world too much and God sends a rebuke to get us back on track.

We may be violating a moral command of God's law and He humbles us so that we confess our failure.

Every rebuke or chastisement we receive from our Father is administered in love and is most assuredly for our good.

King David prayed about what is true of the character of God. 

When we put our trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, the wrath of God for our sins is removed and we are no longer under condemnation (See Romans 8).

King David knew that God would not rebuke or correct him by pouring out His wrath, for God is gracious, longsuffering, merciful, abundant in goodness and truth, and ready to forgive our sins (See Exodus 34:1-8).

David's request is more like reminding God what He has promised to those who trust Him.

We see this type of expression used often in the Psalms and of course, we recognize that God is omniscient and needs no reminders from us about what He will or will not do.

Rather, David reminded himself that God is merciful and gracious, and ready to forgive.

Psalm 6:2  Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

King David knew he was a sinner, both by the original sin of Adam and by his own transgressions.

David was always ready to acknowledge his sin and to confess them before Jehovah.

He had a good understanding of how sin defiles us and he knew that he did deserve to suffer the hot wrath of God for his sins.

He also knew that there is plentiful mercy and grace with God through Christ, and he fled to seek it, knowing that God would receive him.

Like David, we must flee to Christ when we sin knowing that Jesus is our high priest who is ever ready to intercede for us at the throne of God.

Like David, we must confess we have no right nor any merit of our own by which to stand before a God so holy as He is, yet having fullest confidence in the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work for us.

Psalm 6:3-  My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? 4  Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. 

King David cried out to God that his souls was afflicted by divine chastening and he desired to know how long it would last.

Again, the king pleaded for deliverance from his affliction and to enjoy the sweet mercies of God.

David's sorrows were not merely physical correction from God for his great affliction was deeply seated within. 

His mind and soul, were full of anguish from the circumstances he faced.

As the Psalm progresses, King David prays for God to judge his enemies, and this may indicate that the LORD used external circumstances to bring David's sin to light.

Psalm 6:5-7  For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? 6  I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. 7  Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. 

Whatever specifically caused David's affliction of soul, he must have had thoughts that he would die, and if he died, how could he remember the mercies of God and give Him thanks?

David's anguish is palpable. 

He groaned on his bed at night, losing sleep and shedding many tears of grief for his own sins and perhaps due to what his enemies were trying to do.

Psalm 6:8-10  Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. 9  The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. 10  Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly. 

At the end of his prayer, David sounds victorious, knowing that Jehovah heard his prayers and warning that evil people around him must leave, or face God's judgment.

Three times David said that the LORD heard his prayers and received the kings requests.

David found grace and mercy to sustain his soul. He found forgiveness for his own failures and he received assurance from the God of heaven, that He would deliver the king from his enemies.

Hebrews 12:5-8  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

What does chastening teach us about God and our relationship with Him?

Chastening indicates that we are children of the living God and is not evidence of rejection.

Hebrews 12:9  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 

God's purpose in chastening His children is to make us holy so that we might mature spiritually.

Heb 12:11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

It teaches us that God's chastisement is painful in the short term but it will produce long term fruit in us, that brings Him glory. 

Hebrews 12:12-13  Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13  And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 

God uses chastening as a tool to heal our spiritual lameness and shortcomings, and redirects our walk back on the narrow way that leads to eternal life.

Proverbs 3:11-12  My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12  For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. 

Thus, David's affliction in this Psalm remind us that God loves us so much, that He will correct us when we stray, so that we can remain in close fellowship with Him.

Revelation 3:19-20  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 

Though David's Psalm may not appear to be a positive message on the surface, his prayers communicate wonderful truth about God that we need to hear.

Jesus said those whom He loves, He does chasten to renew our zeal for the things of God or to bring us to repentance and confession, so that we can go forward walking together.

May these truths comfort our hearts and may we receive God's chastening work in us as something that is very good for our soul.

Bob