PSALM SIX

GOD HAS HEARD! 
GOD HAS HEARD!  
  
  In the Book of Psalms there are seven penitential psalms.  This is
one of them, but there is no evidence as to when it was written.  In
essence this song is seven verses of anguish and three verses of
triumph. 
  The psalmist had experienced Divine displeasure.  He actually uses
the expression, "Hot displeasure!"  Then he spreads out his
wretchedness before God.  "I am withered away," he complains.  What a
testimony to the fact that life soon dries up when we try to live it
without God.  "O Lord how long?" questions the psalmist, for even time
itself had become an agony to him.  The dread of death was upon him,
and he felt that there was no remembrance of God in death.  His fear of
death was made all the greater since he had no light beyond the tomb. 
For the Christian, Jesus Christ has brought life and immortality to
light. 
  But though the Psalmist was intensely aware of Divine displeasure, he
was also conscious of the fact of Divine lovingkindness.  He cries, "O
save me for Thy Mercy's sake."  The word he uses for mercy may be
translated "Lovingkindness".  The reference is to the Covenant Love of
God Almighty.  God is ready to forgive.  He delights in mercy.  His
mercies are new every morning.  He will always be true to His own
nature, because He is a loving God.  He will always be ready to forgive
us. 
  David was in an extremely bitter experience.  In such a state he
casts himself upon the lovingkindness of God.  Life can be full of
surprises.  Among them are those times of extreme bitterness when we
hardly know what has hit us and we begin to question all that is
happening.  It is quite usual for people, when they are in such an
experience, to question the Love of God.  Indeed they often question
the existence of God, as though that would make any difference to their
condition.  If God does not exist then we are in a greater perplexity
than ever. 
  Suddenly the tenor of the song changes.  There is no clue as to how
the conviction of deliverance came to the singer, but he suddenly
exclaims, "The Lord hath heard...The Lord hath heard."  "The Lord will
receive my prayer!"  There is a Divine Principle here.  If we know that
God has heard our petition, then we know that He will attend to our
need.  The first penitential Psalm is an example of praying through. 
Being sorry for ourselves will never give us the victory.  But when we
pray through, then a great conviction of Divine Deliverance grips our
hearts.  If we do not end with an assurance of covenant mercy - then
all our weeping and penitence is in vain. 
  Who but God Himself could have planted such an assurance in the
Psalmist's heart.  "The Lord hath heard.  The Lord hath heard!"  This
is not whistling in the dark to keep his courage buoyant.  It is a firm
heart felt conviction that God is attending to his cry, and is moving
to bring about his deliverance.  He has never forsaken His own.



Copyright (c) 1995, Hedley Palmer. All rights reserved.



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