Psalm 6

1Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your anger, neither discipline me in your wrath. 2Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am faint. Yahweh, heal me, for my bones are troubled. 3My soul is also in great anguish. But you, Yahweh—how long? 4Return, Yahweh. Deliver my soul, and save me for your loving kindness’ sake. 5For in death there is no memory of you. In Sheol, who shall give you thanks? 6I am weary with my groaning. Every night I flood my bed. I drench my couch with my tears. 7My eye wastes away because of grief. It grows old because of all my adversaries. 8Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for Yahweh has heard the voice of my weeping. 9Yahweh has heard my supplication. Yahweh accepts my prayer. 10May all my enemies be ashamed and dismayed. They shall turn back, they shall be disgraced suddenly.

David was a weeping prophet as well as Jeremiah, and this psalm is one of his lamentations: either it was penned in a time, or at least calculated for a time, of great trouble, both outward and inward. Is any afflicted? Is any sick? Let him sing this psalm. The method of this psalm is very observable, and what we shall often meet with. He begins with doleful complaints, but ends with joyful praises; like Hannah, who went to prayer with a sorrowful spirit, but, when she had prayed, went her way, and her countenance was no more sad. Three things the psalmist is here complaining of: - 1. Sickness of body. 2. Trouble of mind, arising from the sense of sin, the meritorious cause of pain and sickness. 3. The insults of his enemies upon occasion of both. Now here, I. He pours out his complaints before God, deprecates his wrath, and begs earnestly for the return of his favour (Psa 6:1-7). II. He assures himself of an answer of peace, shortly, to his full satisfaction (Psa 6:8-10). This psalm is like the book of Job.

To the chief musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith. A psalm of David.

Cross-references: Ps 6:1 · Ps 6:8

Introduction