The facts:

What are the two thrusts of David's request?

What David doesn't want	What he wants
Don't rebuke/chasten

why?	in your anger/wrath	Be gracious/heal

why?	for I am pining away/my bones are troubled
My soul is greatly dismayed (death)	How long, O Lord? (hurry up, God)

Interp:

What does David not want? Why does he believe he might receive rebuke and chastening? What does he believe is motivates it? God's anger.

What does David want instead? Why does he believe he might receive grace and healing? What would motivate God to give it? David's need. Notice the two motivations for God. His anger versus man's need. Which one carries the most weight for God? Let's find out

What is the extent of David's trouble?

Even my soul (life) is troubled. How can one's life be troubled? It must have been in danger of being snuffed out.

What does David have to say to God?

But You, O Lord, how long?

The facts:

What are the two thrusts of David's request?

What does David not want? Why does he believe he might receive rebuke and chastening? What does he believe is motivates it?

Lord, do not rebuke me

in your anger

nor chasten me

in your wrath.

how is graciousness an appropriate solution for pining away and healing for troubled bones?

What does David want instead? Why does he believe he might receive grace and healing? What two things would motivate God to give it? David's need and God's lovingkindness.

Be gracious to me, O Lord,

for I am pining away;

Heal me, O lord,

for my bones are dismayed.

Even my soul (life) is troubled. (How can one's life be troubled?)

What is David's problem with how God is operating in His life?

But you, O Lord, how long?

--please don't hurt me because of your anger (remember God gets angry because we're destroying ourselves or each other, not arbitrarily angry) David hasn't questioned the righteousness of God's wrath--he's just saying, "I can't stand it any longer. I need some mercy from you because you love me.)

--instead be gracious because I need it, and you love to give me what I need

Isn't that a beautiful picture of God? David doesn't question the righteousness of God's wrath, but he knows God well enough to know that God's graciousness to those who admit their need outweighs his judgment and wrath toward them. So David offers the only thing he can to God--his great need--and expects grace and healing!!

When you find yourself suffering under the wrath of God, what should you do? Throw yourself on His mercy!!! Some of you may be suffering because of marital unfaithfulness, someone here may be homosexual, some of you might be in great pain because your marriage has failed or you've lost a job and your ability to provide for your family. You know you deserve condemnation, maybe you've gambled your family's assets away or by out-of-
control spending landed your family deep in debt. You know it's your fault and you are reaping the consequences. The message of this psalm is clear. If you recognize your need, God cannot resist giving you mercy.

Interpretation:

What purposes does God's anger have? Rebuke, Chastening? Is anyone hearing that? What could it have been? Destruction, yes, so what do we know if we find ourselves suffering under the wrath of God? He loves us!

Why would anyone say to the Lord, then, don't rebuke me? It seems like being rebuked by God is a good thing. Why is David asking for it to end?

How long? You are at heart loving, and if your rebuke kills me what good will it do? I can't praise You from the grave!