Psalm 6

 Psalm 6

The psalmist, David, is in deep trouble. He is afraid that his circumstances will lead to death. David's deep concern about death might be useful for us to consider. In verse 5, David says, "For there is no mention of thee in death. And in Sheol, who will give you thanks?" This is not referring to the ultimate punishment of sinners at the judgment. The Jewish concept of Sheol was emptiness. A vast cave that was a storage facility for the dead. The dead are without the capacity to see, hear, think, reason, or know. They were personal nothings. They are the sort of thing that a rock might dream about. What terrified David is that if he became like them, he would lose the capacity to worship. 

The point of verse 5 is not that if we die, God will lose our worship. God doesn’t need our worship. Angels already worship Him better than we. What terrified David was that he will no longer be able to worship. The great joy of his life would be lost if he died and could no longer worship.  The point is about the delight of worshiping God.

It is far too easily dip out of worshiping God. When we are comfortable with a life that is without worship; in that way we are sort of dead already.

“Lord, help me to worship You with clarity of mind and passion of heart. AMEN”