Psalm 6: Save Me with Your Unfailing Love

Psalm 6

Save Me with Your Unfailing Love

4. Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. (NIV)

◇ When asked who my favorite character in the Bible is, I always answer without hesitation: David. Even if asked two or three times, my answer remains the same. It's not because he was a great king of Israel, but because he best exemplifies how a frail human should live before God.

In today's psalm, David shows his frail self without any embellishment. He spends the night soaking his pillow with tears. He is filled with worry and fear, causing his bones and soul to tremble. His body grows weak and his eyes dim with sorrow.

David laments to God about why he cannot give thanks. He feels as though he is in the depths of Sheol. He seems to challenge God, asking how the dead lying in their graves can give thanks. It's as if he's crying out, "Save me quickly! Hurry, hurry and save me!"

"Give thanks in all circumstances."

This is why I find myself drawn closer to David than to the great Paul. Paul is on another level. Despite his many sufferings, he lived by his exhortation to "give thanks in all circumstances." Of course, I aspire to live like that too, but it's incredibly difficult. As the saying goes, "A crow trying to follow a stork will only tear its own legs." So, I find myself turning to David, who laments his fears and worries just as they are.

♧ God of love, please be a source of strength to those who are somewhere right now soaking their pillows with tears of fear and worry. Rescue those who feel as though they are in the grave, trembling in fear and worry. Embrace those who want to give thanks but instead find themselves crying and lamenting. Lord, aren't you love? Holy Spirit, guide us into truth. Amen.