Psalm 6 (NRSV)
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Verse 1O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, or discipline me in your wrath.
Verse 2Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.
Verse 3My soul also is struck with terror, while you, O Lord-how long?
Verse 4Turn, O Lord, save my life; deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love.
Verse 5For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who can give you praise?
Verse 6I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.
Verse 7My eyes waste away because of grief; they grow weak because of all my foes.
Verse 8Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
Verse 9The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord accepts my prayer.
Verse 10All my enemies shall be ashamed and struck with terror; they shall turn back, and in a moment be put to shame.
Devotion
Sometimes our prayers are not very pretty. We may wallow in self-pity. We question God’s fairness or wonder why the delay in coming to help. “How long, O Lord?” Such prayers are legitimate if they express what is really in our mind and heart. After all, they are in the Bible. Eventually, assurance returns. God has heard and will act. The waiting will soon be over. The suffering will end. Lent will be overturned by the joy of Easter. The lament will become praise.
Prayer
Loving God, be attentive to our prayers. Assure us that you hear when we cry for help and let us know that salvation is close at hand. In Jesus’ name. Amen.