What is Godly Sorrow? - Psalm 6



1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
    heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
3 My soul is in deep anguish.
    How long, Lord, how long?
4 Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
    save me because of your unfailing love

In Psalm 6, David is lamenting over his sin.  Like any other leader, David is not sinless and made some serious mistakes.  The sin most people bring up is his sin with Bathsheba, with whom he committed adultery.  He had her husband, Uriah, sent to the front of the line in battle and he was killed to help cover up his sin.

But to his credit, David seems authentically contrite with whatever sin he is in anguish over.  This comes from facing spiritual, emotional and even physical consequences because of his sin. It seems as though this lasted for a long time as David cries out, "How long, Lord, how long?  In the end, David appeals for the Lord to turn from his anger and save him because his unfailing love. Unfailing love is also translated steadfast love. It is based on God's promise to us, not our goodness. It is grace to love us inspite of what we have done.  

Have you ever experienced sadness over sin?  We often talk about guilt, but we might call what David is experiencing as godly sorrow.  Meaning he is not sorry for himself, but sorrowful because of His offense in God's eyes.  David realized that his sin was against God first, then Uriah second. The bible tells us that "godly sorrow" leads us to repentance and then healing.  

Godly sorrow comes the more we know who God is.  As you think of your life, take time to confess your sins to God.  You can say with the Psalmist in Psalm 51:4, "Against you, and you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight. So are justified in your sentence." 

Then be free to be the person God created you to be!

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