Psalms6
English Standard Version
1To the : with ; according to The . A of . O Lord, me in your , me in your .
2Be to me, O Lord, for I am ; me, O Lord, for my are .
3My also is . But you, O Lord — ?
4 , O Lord, my ; me for the of your .
5For in there is of you; in will ?
6I am with my ; I my with tears; I my with my .
7My away because of ; it because of my .
8 from me, you of , for the Lord has the of my .
9The Lord has my ; the Lord my .
10 my shall be and ; they shall back and be in a .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 6.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The psalmist deprecates God's wrath, and begs for the return of his favour. (1–7). He assures himself of an answer of peace. (8–10).
vv1-7
These verses speak the language of a heart truly humbled, of a broken and contrite spirit under great afflictions, sent to awaken conscience and mortify corruption. Sickness brought sin to his remembrance, and he looked upon it as a token of God's displeasure against him. The affliction of his body will be tolerable, if he has comfort in his soul. Christ's sorest complaint, in his sufferings, was of the trouble of his soul, and the want of his Father's smiles. Every page of Scripture proclaims the fact, that salvation is only of the Lord. Man is a sinner, his case can only be reached by mercy; and never is mercy more illustrious than in restoring backsliders. With good reason we may pray, that if it be the will of God, and he has any further work for us or our friends to do in this world, he will yet spare us or them to serve him. To depart and be with Christ is happiest for the saints; but for them to abide in the flesh is more profitable for the church.
vv8-10
What a sudden change is here! Having made his request known to God, the psalmist is confident that his sorrow will be turned into joy. By the workings of God's grace upon his heart, he knew his prayer was accepted, and did not doubt but it would, in due time, be answered. His prayers will be accepted, coming up out of the hands of Christ the Mediator. The word signifies prayer made to God, the righteous Judge, as the God of his righteousness, who would plead his cause, and right his wrongs. A believer, through the blood and righteousness of Christ, can go to God as a righteous God, and plead with him for pardon and cleansing, who is just and faithful to grant both. He prays for the conversion of his enemies, or foretells their ruin.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
נְגִינָה: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a stringed instrument; by extension, a poem set to music; specifically, an epigram
שְׁמִינִית: probably an eight-stringed lyre
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
יָכַח: to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
אַל: not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
אַף: properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
יָסַר: to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct
חֵמָה: heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
Cross References
Psalms 6Exact verbal parallel in prayer: deprecating being rebuked in anger or chastened in hot displeasure.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Jeremiah similarly deprecates God's anger, praying for correction with judgment rather than destructive displeasure.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Hezekiah argues similarly that the grave and death cannot celebrate or praise God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jesus directly quotes this verse in his final judgment warning: 'Depart from me, ye workers of iniquity.'
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Parallel plea asking what profit there is in blood when going down to the pit.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Expresses the same rhetorical questioning of whether wonders or lovingkindness are declared in the grave.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms the thematic contrast: the dead praise not the Lord, nor any going down to silence.
Supported by JFB
New Testament parallel affirming that Christ's rebukes and chastening are rooted in love, not wrath.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Echoes the concept of 'vexed bones' representing the deepest internal spiritual and physical agony.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Connects physical bone pain and lack of rest directly with God's displeasure and personal sin.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Combines the plea for mercy with the plea for soul healing from sin's effects.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Repeats the agonizing cry of delay, 'how long?', in times of apparent divine abandonment.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Job also describes his eye being dim by reason of sorrow and grief.
Supported by Matthew Poole
A similar command for evildoers to depart so that the psalmist may keep God's commands.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Another Gospel echo where Christ commands workers of iniquity to depart from His presence.
Supported by Matthew Henry