July 13, 2013

Psalm 6:6-7 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.

I don’t know why this Psalm came to mind in my quiet time today. Perhaps I have some unconfessed sin that I am unaware of … I really don’t know. But the Psalm, and these verses in particular, really made me stop and think. It’s one of seven so called “penitential” Psalms. They are the Psalms that express sorrow for sin. And when David “expresses sorrow for sin” it’s not a little sorrow – he is broken, broken-hearted. I cannot claim to have ever got so close to God’s feeling about my sin.

Have you ever been kept awake by anything, groaning and weeping? What was it that kept you awake? Myra and I talked about it, and the only times that we could really think about were times when we had been tormented by our circumstances, not by our consciences. We have both been kept awake by an awareness of sin, at various times, but neither of us could lay claim to David’s depths of desperation.

As I contemplated this more, and it turned over in my mind, it seemed connected to something else – “blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are they that mourn.” Here’s what that most valuable of commentators Matthew Henry has to say:

The poor in spirit are happy. These bring their minds to their condition, when it is a low condition. They are humble and lowly in their own eyes. They see their want, bewail their guilt, and thirst after a Redeemer. The kingdom of grace is of such; the kingdom of glory is for them. Those that mourn are happy. That godly sorrow which worketh true repentance, watchfulness, a humble mind, and continual dependence for acceptance on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, with constant seeking the Holy Spirit, to cleanse away the remaining evil, seems here to be intended. Heaven is the joy of our Lord; a mountain of joy, to which our way is through a vale of tears. Such mourners shall be comforted by their God.

Have you ever wondered why David, who was guilty of some dreadful acts, was so beloved of God? I think that one reason is that He had no false pride. He knew who he was, and was appalled at the opportunity he gave his enemies to scoff at godliness. He knew the wicked could say, “If that David is the best God can do, we can look down on the people of the Lord”. Well, I know that if people like me are the best Jesus has got, the kingdom might be pretty poor. But I know it’s not so. There are those whose eyes are consumed with grief because of their sin. Bless you if you are one of their number. For the rest of us, we will keep seeking after a truer, deeper repentance.