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Last Update: 4.30pm Saturday 17 October 2026 (KA);
9am Sunday 18 October - Sermon notes added (BAF).

Sunday 18 October 2026

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Sermon Notes (download here)

Psalm 6 - The Lord has heard my plea

Introduction - a psalm of David, to be played on stringed instruments, lament and penitence

Psalm 6:1-7

David despairs -

● Similarities to Pss. 4&5 - facing severe opposition

● Significant difference to Pss. 4&5 - only brief references to his opponents; main focus of sin, including his opponents but primarily his own

● David is overwhelmed by the burden of sin - Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long? (6:2-3)

God’s wrath and anger -

● David recognises that all affliction is rooted in sin

● David recognises that his affliction is in part rooted in his sin (see 2 Sam. 11-15)

● David not just a victim of other people's sin, but also his own - O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath (6:1)

David’ tears -

● David is overwhelmed by the burden of sin to the point of tears and physical anguish - I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes (6:6-7)

● David grieves the ultimate consequence of sin - where are you? (Gen.3:9); Jesus wept (John 11:35) - separation from God

● David mourns his sin - Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matt. 5:4) - see also 2 Sam. 12:1-13; Psalm 51; Isaiah 6:4-7; and Acts 2:37

David’s appeal -

● David argues his case to God in prayer - Turn, O LORD, deliver my life (6:4)

● David argues on the basis of God’s character - save me for the sake of your steadfast love (6:4)

● David argues his case out of concern that God receive that which he is due - For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise? (6:5) - if God does not save David, how will David praise him for dead people cannot praise God in the place of the dead!

John Calvin, ‘comments on how few who suffer affliction consider God and the problem of sin’ (Ash, p.66) Instead we too often make God and his perceived indifference the problem!

God’s ‘Steadfast Love’ (‘hesed’) -

● David recognises that his ONLY hope is in ‘Yahweh’ and his covenant promises

● David recognises that the very One who is sinned against is the ONLY one who can save him

● David recognises that only by grace - Be gracious to me, O Lord (6:2) - rising from the faithful covenant love of God can he be truly saved.

Psalm 6:8-10 - a sudden and dramatic change in the direction of the psalm!

David’s confidence -

● Though there is no reference to a change in circumstances David speaks against his enemies - Depart from me, all you workers of evil (6:8)

● The root of David’s confidence is faith - for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer (6:8-9)

● David is confident of God’s answer to his earlier question to God, ‘how long?’ (6:3) - All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment (6:10) - not long!

Our Confidence

This psalm is not just about God’s anointed King, David! It is also and most importantly about God’s true Anointed King promised to David. David’s King, the King of Kings, who one day:

● Surrounded by his foes, facing death, weighed down by the burden of all sin, under the shadow of a cross will say as David said, Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour (John 12:27)

● Through his death on the cross will bring freedom from all sin to those who mourn their sin, by declaring, I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness (Matt. 7:23; see also Luke 13:27)

This is the believers source of confidence in the face of the overwhelming reality of sin, their own and of the world around them.

It is the source of our confidence each time we respond to the Lord’s invitation to come to his table …

(Communion follows)

Saturday 17 October 2026