Watering My Couch With My Tears

I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. (Psalm 6:6-7)

When was the last time you cried? Do you remember what caused you to cry? We live in a society where men are encouraged to “put up a strong front”, and that “crying is for women and sissies”. Yet, in the 6^th Psalm, David not only poured out his heart to the LORD, so that his readers could see that even men of renown like King David “watered his couch with his tears”.

David opened the 6^th Psalm by begging the LORD not to rebuke and discipline him in anger, and pleading for the LORD to have mercy on him and heal him (Psalm 6:1-2). Evidently, David had sinned against the LORD, and was acknowledging this fact before God and asking for forgiveness.

He then asked that the LORD deliver him and save him from death, for “in death there is no remembrance of thee” (Psalm 6:3-5). David was appealing to the fact that if God would not spare his life, he would be unable to continue giving thanks to the LORD in death.

King David then moved on to describe how deeply he was consumed with his grief and distress. He talked about crying to such an extent that he “made his bed to swim”, and that he “watered his couch with his tears” (Psalm 6:6). In grief due to his sin and his enemies, he cried so much that his eyesight failed (Psalm 6:7).

Finally, David concluded the psalm by affirming his confidence that the LORD had heard his weeping and prayer, and that his enemies would be “ashamed and sore vexed” (Psalm 6:8-10). Indeed, though the psalm began on a note of deep distress and grief over David’s sin and his enemies, it ended with the confidence that God would hear his plea.

As I read this psalm, I could not help but think of the many mistakes and sins I had committed in my life – of bridges burned, of loved ones hurt, of opportunities squandered. On many occasions, I too “watered my couch with my tears” – by crying tears of regret and deep remorse over the quandaries that I found myself in, that I had created through my own sinful behaviour.

And yet, as I read this psalm, I thanked the Lord for giving me second (and third, and fourth) chances. I thanked Him for giving me opportunities to repent and to confess my sins to Him in prayer (cf. 1 John 1:9). I thanked Him for hearing my prayer, my plea, my petition – for opportunities to be restored.

Brethren, there is nothing wrong with “watering our couches with our tears”. Grief and remorse over our sinful actions can sometimes be the reminder we need, that we ought to repent and return to God before it is too late.

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (Hebrews 12:6-7)