Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 6
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 6
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 6
"O Jehovah, rebuke me not in thine anger, Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah; for I am withered away: O Jehovah, heal me; for my bones are troubled. My soul also is sore troubled: And thou, O Jehovah, how long? Return, O Jehovah, deliver my soul: Save me for thy lovingkindness` sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: In Sheol who shall give thee thanks? I am weary with my groaning; Every night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Mine eye wasteth away because of grief; It waxeth old because of all mine adversaries." — Psalms 6:1-7 (ASV)
These verses speak the language of a heart truly humbled, of a broken and contrite spirit under great afflictions, sent to awaken conscience and mortify corruption. Sickness brought sin to his remembrance, and he looked upon it as a token of God's displeasure against him. The affliction of his body will be tolerable if he has comfort in his soul.
Christ's greatest complaint, in his sufferings, was of the trouble of his soul and the lack of his Father's smiles. Every page of Scripture proclaims the fact that salvation is only of the Lord. Man is a sinner; his case can only be reached by mercy, and never is mercy more glorious than in restoring backsliders.
With good reason we may pray that if it is the will of God, and he has any further work for us or our friends to do in this world, he will still spare us or them to serve him. To depart and be with Christ is happiest for the saints; but for them to abide in the flesh is more profitable for the church.
"Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; For Jehovah hath heard the voice of my weeping. Jehovah hath heard my supplication; Jehovah will receive my prayer. All mine enemies shall be put to shame and sore troubled: They shall turn back, they shall be put to shame suddenly. " — Psalms 6:8-10 (ASV)
What a sudden change is here! Having made his request known to God, the psalmist is confident that his sorrow will be turned into joy. By the workings of God's grace upon his heart, he knew his prayer was accepted and did not doubt that it would, in due time, be answered.
His prayers will be accepted, coming up out of the hands of Christ the Mediator. The word signifies prayer made to God, the righteous Judge, as the God of his righteousness, who would plead his cause and right his wrongs.
A believer, through the blood and righteousness of Christ, can go to God as a righteous God and plead with him for pardon and cleansing, who is just and faithful to grant both. He prays for the conversion of his enemies or foretells their ruin.
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