Psalms 6

¹To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

Psa 6:1-10. On Neginoth (See on Psa 4:1, title) upon Sheminith--the eighth--an instrument for the eighth key; or, more probably, the bass, as it is contrasted with Alamoth (the treble, Psa 46:1) in 1Ch 15:20,21. In deep affliction the Psalmist appeals to God’s mercy for relief from chastisement, which otherwise must destroy him, and thus disable him for God’s service. Sure of a gracious answer, he triumphantly rebukes his foes. 1. He owns his ill desert in begging a relief from chastisement.

²Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

2. I am weak--as a culled plant (Is 24:4). my bones--the very frame. are vexed--(Psa 2:5)--shaken with fear.

³My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?

3. how long?--shall this be so (compare Psa 79:5). but--or, “and.” thou--The sentence is incomplete as expressive of strong emotion.

⁴Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.

4. Return--that is, to my relief; or, “turn,” as now having His face averted. for thy mercies’ sake--to illustrate Thy mercy.

⁵For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

5. (Compare Psa 115:17, 18; Is 38:18). There is no incredulity as to a future state. The contrast is between this scene of life, and the grave or Sheol, the unseen world of the dead. give ... thanks--or, “praise for mercies.”

⁶I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

6. By a strong figure the abundance as well as intensity of grief is depicted.

⁷Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

7. consumed--or, “has failed,” denoting general debility (Psa 13:3; 38:10). waxeth old--or, “dim.” grief--mingled with indignation.

⁸Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

⁹The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

8-9. Assured of God’s hearing, he suddenly defies his enemies by an address indicating that he no longer fears them.

¹⁰Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.

10. and knows they will be disappointed and in their turn (compare Psa 6:3) be terror-stricken or confounded.