When David wandered in Judea, and mused on the long-deferred promise of the Throne of Israel, he might use these words first of all.
When he saw no sign of Saul's dominion ending, and no appearance of the Seed of the Woman, he was in such circumstances as fitted him to be the instrument of the Holy Spirit in writing for all after-times words which might express the feelings of melancholy weariness.
The Son of David came in the fulness of time. He passed through many nights of darkness. Sometimes the very shades of death bent over Him. "My souls is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death." Could He not most fitly take up v4, as He carried his cross along the Via Dolorosa? Who better could appeal:
"Consider, hear me, O Lord my God (Eli! Eli!)
Make my eyes glisten with joy
Lest I sleep in death
Lest my enemy says: I have prevailed against him.
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved."
High Priests, Govenors, Scribes, Pharisees, Herodians, Saducees, common priests and common people, were all on the eve of shouting triunph if He did not rise from the grave. A burst of joy from hell would respond to their derision if He failed to arise and failed to show himself to be the King of kings.
But not our Head only, every member of his body also, has found cause often to utter such complaints and fears.
A believer in darkness.
A believer under temptation.
A believer under the pressure of some continued trial.
A believer spending wearisom nights lying awak.
Each may find appropriate language here to express his feelings to God.
All the more because it is associated with the Saviour's darkness and so assures us of sympathy.
We take up the harp which He used in Galilee and Gethsemane; and touching its strings, do we not recall to our Head the remembrance of "the days of his flesh?"
How glorious too, for the Church to join with her Head in the prospect of v5:
"But as for me, I have trusted in your mercy" etc.
Leaning on the Father's love amid these sorrowful appeals He was sure, and in him they are sure, of a day of glory dawning - joy coming in the morning.
Verse 6 anticipates not only His own resurrction, but the resurrection of the saints also, and the glory of teh kingdom:
"I will sing to the Lord, for He has dealt bountifully with me."
Glory much more abounds. Joy has set in instead of sorrow in full tide. Fruition more than realising the most "ample propositions that hope made" to the weary soul. And this is teh belssed issue of what Calvin would perhpas have called How Lord, and which we may call, The Righteous One's, Lord, how long?
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