“But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me, who boast against me when my foot slips!” For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever before me. I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty, and many are those who hate me wrongfully. Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good.” -Psalm 38:15–20
The audacity of the Psalmist is compelling. He still dares to hope in the Lord. The emphatic you, twice used, means “you and you alone!” It is not that David is deserving of God’s mercy and grace, but such is the objective nature of God, like love. And what is grace but unmerited—underserved—favor. Said another way, David knows God will be gracious to him, not because of David but because of God.
David confesses his sin and is sorry for it but his foes, nonetheless, hate him wrongfully. He has sinned but not against these who oppose him. He has only done good to them but they are using the occasion of his sin and subsequent sickness as leverage against him.
So he prays. He waits for the Lord to deliver him, not only from his sin-induced illness, but from the enemies of righteousness who are adding to his plight by using the occasion of his fall to attack him. Sometimes, when it rains it drizzles. But more often than not it pours. What is there to do but pray, humbly and yet audaciously, pray to the Lord. He will answer.
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” -Hebrews 4:14–16