THANKS, AND PRAISE

Believers who have experienced sickness and have recovered will likely feel more personally about this psalm than those who have been successful. Security makes us feel safe and powerful, but if success goes to our heads, God can quickly and easily change all that and take it away. When God deals with us, the discomfort and fear are real at the moment, but they have positive effects that go on and on for a long time. Our absolute security is not in our retirement package or successful investments but in our Lord Himself.

David's expressions become real to those who have passed through both the sickness and the healing processes. In the first three verses, there is praise to the Lord for recovery from personal illness, which may have been caused by personal sin. Some writers relate this to the tragedy that befell the Jews when David chose to number the people without divine direction. Whatever the cause of the sickness, he knew the cause of his recovery was the Lord.

The words he uses to describe his recovery, "lifted me up," are the same as when a bucket is pulled up from deep in a well. When the Lord delivers us from any distress or sickness, it is an act of grace toward us who do not deserve it. We became very conscious of God's grace when we were saved from our sins by His grace. Salvation is a constant cause for gladness and joy in those who have experienced that deliverance. We experience His sufficient grace for every need during our lives, even though we may recognize our weaknesses.

In grace, the Lord brought him up from "the depths," the place of the dead. "The pit also refers to death, where there is silence, darkness, destruction, dust, mud, and mire. These are all associated words relating to the near-death experience to which David is referring. Jonah also went through this same experience and was delivered.

Then, there was a song of praise to be sung unto the Lord for this new start he was experiencing. This song was of such importance that David called upon the saints to join him in this time of thanksgiving and grateful praise. It is a primary response of believers to give thanks as we remember the holiness of the Lord. It is important for us to share our joy with the "saints and faithful brethren" who often intercede for us in prayer when we are in sickness and trouble. There is great joy when we call to remembrance the way our Lord has led us, and it is a good thing to share that joy with the Lord's people so that they, too, can be assured of grace given when grace is needed.

Self-reliance can be swept away in a moment. We may think we have all our bases covered and everything in our lives is under control, and then suddenly, it all changes. In our strength and good times, we are often less conscious of our need for God than at other times. Our prayers become much more urgent and sincere when sickness, disaster, and calamity strike. David suffered as he looked back when he had boasted, "I shall never be moved," before sickness struck. Then, when he was helpless, he became conscious of his dependence on God. His pride was crushed, and his self-sufficiency failed. It was then that he called on the Lord for mercy and recovery. He learned there is "weeping for a moment" because of divine anger on account of sin, but "joy" because of divine favor lasts for our lifetime.

Chastening for a child of God is evidence of our Father's love, but we often consider it the opposite if we don't take time to consider the purpose behind chastening. Cries for mercy are heard. God was faithful to the covenant He made with the Jews and to the new covenant He has with us. It seems like some of God's people in the past and some today don't realize what life after death is for a believer. Some believe in soul sleep and are left with a sense of worthlessness at death. The whole matter of what life and immortality are all about came to light through the Gospel. In the past, those people looked "through a glass darkly." Something like how we look into the future today. The grace of God to individuals and salvation by grace that brought new birth have been made known after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

David's words of appreciation and thanksgiving after he recovered were spontaneous and full of faith. His cries were heard. God was faithful to the covenant He had made. The Lord answered, and joy took the place of sadness and fear. The last verses of this psalm song are renewed praise. He wants everyone to know about the change in his life. No longer is there mourning because of self-sufficiency and the results it brings, but there is dancing for joy. No longer was he clothed in the sackcloth clothes of shame, but he was clothed in gladness of heart. No longer was there silence in his suffering, but that had given way to praise in words of grateful thanksgiving.

v. 6-10. CHASTENING EFFECT OF THE SERIOUS PROBLEM Peace and prosperity had turned his heart away from the Lord. He acknowledges his problem. God was displeased with his pride and forgetfulness. He learned it was vain to trust in the flesh. His only help was in the Lord. He turns to prayer and continues in prayer for his concern. His appeal is that there would be no benefit if he is cut off. If he were spared, he would tell everyone about the merciful and gracious Lord. God is angry with wickedness, but His anger lasts for a short time. His anger is, and His anger has an effect.

v. 11-12. RETURN TO THANKS He is thankful that he has been spared, even though he deserved to be cut off. His song had been to himself in the past, but now his glory sings to the Lord.