Psalm 6

Traditionally, this is categorized as a psalm of repentance, although there is no outright confession included here. David is obviously troubled through the first seven verses. He senses God's anger with him. He calls on God to return or turn back to him. It's a time of depression, of lonliness, of hopelessness. It seems that many people, perhaps most people, experience times like this. Nothing goes right. Disaster after disaster tries to stifle your faith, destroy your hope.

David's answer is to cry out to God, over and over again. Five times in the first four verses, David's plea is to the Almighty. "How long, O Lord?" Indeed, it is a familiar prayer. David is growing physically weak and mentally drained.

Then we hit verse eight. David's prayer is answered. He has cried out for mercy and the Lord has delivered. We are not told how he knows, but David knows.

In a spiritual dry spell or a time of sensing that God is far away, David's prescription is to continue to cry out to God. Only in leaning on Him will relief come.