Battling the Shadows: King David’s Path in Psalm 6
How King David turned fear into strength
The Psalms in the Bible are prayers. Most of them were written by King David to be recited as songs during the temple service. David poured his whole inner life, his feelings, into these poems.
A special one in my eyes is Psalm 6, which is a prime example of how we as believers can grow into the power of God.
The psalm is divided into three parts that trace the development of the doubting David into a strong warrior of God.
Let’s take a closer look at the passages.
Part 1: Doubting the relationship with God
In the first third of Psalm 6, verses 1–3, we read:
To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. 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? (Psalm 6:1–3, KJV)
David talks about being afraid. But his fear is not caused by people or external dangers. David doubts that God has accepted him at all.
