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. (vv1-4)
In our second meditation on Psalm 5, we explored a fearful side to God's nature - He actively detests sin. In this Psalm, David refers to God's anger, and hot displeasure (wrath) as the outworking of that detestation.
On his sick bed, he will only cry out to God (see first meditation on Psalm 5), and he does not allow wrongdoing to drive a wedge between him and God.
David appeals to God's mercy. Acknowledging his frailty and need for healing, he pleads with the Lord to save him; not because he deserves mercy, for he does not, but because he knows God's love is unfailing.
Like a father who draws a child near after discipline, David trusts God to be merciful. Many run from God for fear that their sin would lead to death in the hands of a vengeful God. They rightly fear that, were they to approach His presence, His holy fire would consume the sin in their lives. The voice of God and man's enemy, Satan, also stands ready to accuse and convince them that God would have nothing to do with sinners.
But the Psalmist knows a secret - God declared the following about Himself to Moses:
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6 see also, Joel 2:13; Psalm 145: 7-9)
The Psalmist recognises the following:
1. He deserves God's punishment.
2. His sin is before God alone.
3. God is compassionate.
4. When he asks God for mercy, forgiveness, healing, deliverance, rescue; God hears him.
Do you need one, or all of the above today? Has the Enemy taunted you in your sinful state? Does he call you evil, forgotten, hopeless and unlovable? You are not without hope; Christ died to make sure of that.
In the words of the Prophet Jeremiah:
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
God wants to forgive our sins in ways we'll never understand, so do not let sin hold you back from seeking His mercy. Don't let anything keep you from running to God. He waits for you to return to Him. Christ's blood was shed that we might receive not only forgiveness of sins, but the inheritance of sons and daughters of God. Run to God. Repent, and then depend on His steadfast love to forgive, heal and restore you.
Then, like David, you can say to the Accuser:
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. (vv 8-9)
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