Psalm Devotional
From Anguish to Assurance
Psalm 6 takes us on a journey from anguish to assurance. The psalmist’s assurance, like ours, ultimately rests in the reality that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
The psalm begins with its writer in anguish, but the source of his anguish is not clear. Traditionally, this psalm has been interpreted as a penitential psalm; therefore, the psalmist’s anguish has been attributed to unrepentant sin. However, the absence of an actual confession of sin has led many commentators to suggest alternative sources. These include physical sickness, mental depression, and attacking enemies. It is my suggestion that sin is the nucleus of the psalmist’s suffering, and these other distresses are manifestations of his struggle with sin.
Verse 1 supports the view that sin is the heart of the problem, because the psalmist implies that he deserves rebuke and discipline. Verses 2-3 demonstrate the pervasive power of sin. His sin has an impact on his whole existence, as evidenced by the use of the words “bones” (physical) and “soul” (entire being).
