"O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly." (Psalm 6:1-10)

          Psalm five was a morning prayer. Psalm six is an evening prayer; the first of David's penitent psalms. This was a prayer prayed out of a heart that was sorrowful over sin. Psalm six was at a time when David was struggling both physically and spiritually. He was sick in heart over sin. His own sins broke his heart and the sins of other devastated him likewise. David dealt with some very difficult matters. Two examples would be when (1) Absalom tried to become king (2 Samuel 15:14), and (2) when King Saul tried to kill David. (1 Samuel 19:18) Psalm 6 is at a time when David is lonely and he was ill in body and in mind. He even felt that God had left him. David prayed for the Lord to return to him. God answered the prayers of David and gave him courage to stand against his enemies. There are many truths that David recognized.

          David recognized that God becomes angry at sin. (Psalm 6:1) Sin is that which is opposed to the will or to the nature of God. Sin is anything that comes short of the standard of perfection established by God. David knew the truth that God recorded in Romans 3:23. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." The Bible declares that God is angry with the wicked. "God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day." (Psalms 7:11)

          David knew that God could heal a broken body and a broken spirit. (Psalm 6:2-3) David's request was that God would have pity on him and heal his feeble body. He also needed healing of heart. He patiently asked God how long he would have to wait before he received divine help. He was in distress of heart. The heart of man is restless until it is able to rest in God.

          David knew that God's blessing could again be his. (Psalm 6:4-6) When David asked God to return to him he was asking God to renew His blessing upon Him. His prayer to God was, "Turn and come to my rescue. Show your wonderful love and save me, LORD." We learn from David to place our worries in God's care. David knew that if he died his body was finished and he could not praise God from the grave. Much of David's sorrow and many of his tears were brought on by his enemies.

          David knew the renewed courage that God gave him. (Psalm 6:8-10) God answered David's prayers and gave him courage to oppose his enemies. David said, "You, LORD, heard my crying, and those hateful people had better leave me alone." David knew that God had answered his prayers. When a person is a righteous God knows him and answers his prayers. David courageously said, "My enemies will be ashamed and terrified, as they quickly run away in complete disgrace." God will triumph over all His enemies and His truth will prevail.