Psalms 6

Psalm 6 is a lament of David, expressing profound physical and spiritual distress and a plea for God's mercy and healing. He begs God not to chasten him in anger, highlighting his weakness and the overwhelming grief caused by his enemies. The psalm concludes with a sudden shift to confidence, as David declares that the Lord has heard his weeping and will answer his prayer, leading to the shame of his adversaries.

Psalm 6, a Psalm of David, opens with an earnest plea to the Lord not to be rebuked or chastened in divine anger. The psalmist describes his profound physical and spiritual weakness, lamenting vexed bones and a sore vexed soul, crying out for mercy and healing. He questions "how long?" his suffering will endure and implores God to return and deliver his soul for mercy's sake. A key motivation for his plea is the belief that in death, there is no remembrance or thanksgiving to God. David vividly portrays his intense grief, describing himself as weary from groaning, watering his couch with tears, and having eyes consumed by sorrow and aged by enemies. Suddenly, the tone shifts as David confidently commands "workers of iniquity" to depart, asserting that the Lord has heard his weeping and supplication. The psalm concludes with an assurance that God will receive his prayer, anticipating the shame and vexation of his enemies.

Psalm 6, designated "To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith," is a heartfelt lament composed by David, beginning with an urgent appeal to the Lord. The psalmist implores God not to rebuke him in anger nor chasten him in hot displeasure, indicating a deep sense of unworthiness or fear of divine wrath. He immediately follows this with a desperate cry for mercy, confessing his physical weakness, stating that his bones are vexed and his soul is sore vexed. David questions the duration of his suffering with the poignant query, "how long?" He then earnestly requests the Lord to return, deliver his soul, and save him purely for the sake of divine mercies. A significant theological point is raised in verse 5, where David argues that in death, there is no remembrance of God, nor can thanks be given in the grave, implying a motivation for his plea for life and deliverance. The psalmist vividly describes his overwhelming grief and physical exhaustion, stating he is weary with groaning, making his bed swim, and watering his couch with tears throughout the night. His eyes are depicted as consumed by grief and aging due to the constant presence and actions of his enemies. A dramatic shift occurs in verse 8, where David, with newfound assurance, commands all "workers of iniquity" to depart from him. This command is grounded in the firm conviction that the Lord has heard the voice of his weeping. He reiterates this confidence in verse 9, affirming that the Lord has heard his supplication and will indeed receive his prayer. The psalm concludes with an imprecation against his adversaries, expressing the desire that all his enemies be ashamed and sore vexed, and that they return and be ashamed suddenly, reflecting a triumphant anticipation of divine vindication.