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Psalms 6

BSB·10 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1O LORDיְֽהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → rebuke meתוֹכִיחֵ֑נִיṯō·w·ḵî·ḥê·nî — To rebuke, reprove, or correct with reasoningH3198 — Full Word Study → in Your angerבְּאַפְּךָ֥bə·’ap·pə·ḵā — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study → orוְֽאַל־wə·’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → discipline meתְיַסְּרֵֽנִי׃ṯə·yas·sə·rê·nî — To discipline, correct, or instruct through rebuke or punishmentH3256 — Full Word Study → in Your wrathבַּחֲמָתְךָ֥ba·ḥă·mā·ṯə·ḵā — Intense rage, burning wrath, divine angerH2534 — Full Word Study →. 2Be merciful to meחָנֵּ֥נִיḥān·nê·nî — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָה֮Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאָ֥נִי’ā·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → am frailאֻמְלַ֫ל’um·lal — weak, feeble, discouragedH536 — Full Word Study →; heal meרְפָאֵ֥נִיrə·p̄ā·’ê·nî — To heal, restore to healthH7495 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֖יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → my bonesעֲצָמָֽי׃‘ă·ṣā·māy — bone; body; substance; strengthH6106 — Full Word Study → are in agonyנִבְהֲל֣וּniḇ·hă·lū — to alarm, hasten, or act in hasteH926 — Full Word Study →. 3My soulוְ֭נַפְשִׁיwə·nap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → is deeply distressedנִבְהֲלָ֣הniḇ·hă·lāh — to alarm, hasten, or act in hasteH926 — Full Word Study →. How longעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study →, Oוְאַתְּwə·ʾat — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, how longמָתָֽי׃mā·ṯāy — when, how long, until whenH4970 — Full Word Study →? 4Turnשׁוּבָ֣הšū·ḇāh — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and deliver my soulנַפְשִׁ֑יnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →; save meה֝וֹשִׁיעֵ֗נִיhō·wō·šî·‘ê·nî — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study → because ofלְמַ֣עַןlə·ma·‘an — because of, for the sake of, in order thatH4616 — Full Word Study → Your loving devotionחַסְדֶּֽךָ׃ḥas·de·ḵā — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study →. 5Forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → there is noאֵ֣ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → mention of Youזִכְרֶ֑ךָziḵ·re·ḵā — memorial, remembrance, or fragrant nameH2143 — Full Word Study → in deathבַּמָּ֣וֶתbam·mā·weṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study →; whoמִ֣יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → can praiseיֽוֹדֶה־yō·w·ḏeh- — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study → You from Sheolבִּ֝שְׁא֗וֹלbiš·’ō·wl — The grave; the abode of the dead; the underworldH7585 — Full Word Study →? 6I am wearyיָגַ֤עְתִּי׀yā·ḡa‘·tî — to toil, labor, become wearyH3021 — Full Word Study → from groaningבְּֽאַנְחָתִ֗יbə·’an·ḥā·ṯî — A deep sigh or groan of distressH585 — Full Word Study →; allבְכָל־ḇə·ḵāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → nightלַ֭יְלָהlay·lāh — Night, darkness, the period of darknessH3915 — Full Word Study → I floodאַשְׂחֶ֣ה’aś·ḥeh — to swim, to float in waterH7811 — Full Word Study → my bed with weeping and drench my couchעַרְשִׂ֥י‘ar·śî — bed, couch, sleeping placeH6210 — Full Word Study → with tearsבְּ֝דִמְעָתִ֗יbə·ḏim·‘ā·ṯî — tears, weepingH1832 — Full Word Study →. 7My eyesעֵינִ֑י‘ê·nî — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → failעָֽשְׁשָׁ֣ה‘ā·šə·šāh — to waste away, be consumed, languishH6244 — Full Word Study → from griefמִכַּ֣עַסmik·ka·‘as — Vexation, provocation, or irritation that stirs angerH3708 — Full Word Study →; they grow dimעָֽ֝תְקָ֗ה‘ā·ṯə·qāh — to remove, depart, or wear awayH6275 — Full Word Study → because of allבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → my foesצוֹרְרָֽי׃ṣō·wr·rāy — to bind, squeeze, or oppress; to distress or afflictH6887 — Full Word Study →. 8Departס֣וּרוּsū·rū — to turn aside, depart, removeH5493 — Full Word Study → from meמִ֭מֶּנִּיmim·men·nî — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →, allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → you workersפֹּ֣עֲלֵיpō·‘ă·lê — to do, work, make, performH6466 — Full Word Study → of iniquityאָ֑וֶן’ā·wen — Evil, wickedness, iniquity, or worthlessnessH205 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → has heardשָׁמַ֥עšā·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → my weepingבִּכְיִֽי׃biḵ·yî — Weeping, tears, or act of cryingH1065 — Full Word Study →. 9The LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → has heardשָׁמַ֣עšā·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → my cry for mercyתְּחִנָּתִ֑יtə·ḥin·nā·ṯî — Earnest petition or plea; humble supplicationH8467 — Full Word Study →; the LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → acceptsיִקָּֽח׃yiq·qāḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → my prayerתְּֽפִלָּתִ֥יtə·p̄il·lā·ṯî — Prayer; formal or spontaneous petition to GodH8605 — Full Word Study →. 10Allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → my enemiesאֹיְבָ֑י’ō·yə·ḇāy — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study → will be ashamedיֵבֹ֤שׁוּ׀yê·ḇō·šū — to be ashamed; to feel shame or disgraceH954 — Full Word Study → and dismayedוְיִבָּהֲל֣וּwə·yib·bā·hă·lū — to alarm, hasten, or act in hasteH926 — Full Word Study →; they will turn backיָ֝שֻׁ֗בוּyā·šu·ḇū — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → in suddenרָֽגַע׃rā·ḡa‘ — A brief moment; an instantH7281 — Full Word Study → disgraceיֵבֹ֥שׁוּyê·ḇō·šū — to be ashamed; to feel shame or disgraceH954 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 6
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 6 is a deeply personal prayer of distress, traditionally classified as a lament psalm. David cries out to God in the midst of physical illness and emotional anguish, fearing both divine judgment and the schemes of his enemies. Yet even as he pours out his pain, he anchors his plea in God's mercy and character. This psalm beautifully demonstrates that honest, desperate prayer is welcome before the Lord—we need not hide our weakness or pretend strength we do not possess.

Verses 1-3: The Prayer of a Troubled Soul

David opens with a striking request: "O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure." Rather than denying his sin, the psalmist acknowledges that God may have cause to discipline him. However, he pleads for mercy instead of wrath. He then describes his condition with raw honesty—he is weak, needing healing; his bones are vexed (troubled, shaken). In verse 3, his soul is also grievously troubled, and he asks the urgent question, "How long?" This is the cry of someone at the breaking point, wondering when relief will come. The repetition of "O LORD" throughout emphasizes his dependency and shows that despite his distress, he still knows whom to address with his pain.

Practical Application: David models for us that confession and vulnerability go hand-in-hand in prayer. We do not need to defend ourselves before God or hide our desperation; He welcomes our honest cries.

Verses 4-5: The Reasoning of Faith

In verse 4, David's plea becomes more direct: "Return, O LORD, deliver my soul"—implying that God's presence feels distant and withdrawn. He appeals to God's mercies as the basis for salvation, not his own worthiness. Then comes a profound theological reason for his urgency in verse 5: "For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?" This is not doubting God's eternality, but rather recognizing that earthly life is the season for worship and service. The psalmist's concern is pastoral—how can he glorify God if death silences him? This reasoning actually strengthens his prayer; it shows he desires deliverance not for selfish comfort but for the opportunity to continue praising God.

Practical Application: Our life's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him. This perspective can strengthen our own prayers in suffering—we pray not merely for relief, but to continue our calling as worshippers.

Verses 6-7: The Physical Reality of Sorrow

These verses paint a vivid portrait of grief's physical toll. David is weary from groaning; his nights are filled with tears that have literally soaked his bed. His eyes show the ravages of constant weeping and emotional pain caused by his enemies. This language is not exaggeration for effect—it is the authentic experience of severe depression and possibly serious illness.

Practical Application: Scripture does not minimize suffering or tell us to "just believe harder." God sees and honors our tears; they are real, and He is present in them.

Verses 8-10: The Turning Point

Suddenly, David's tone shifts. "Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping." He commands his enemies to leave because he has confidence that God has heard him. Verses 9-10 affirm this confidence: God has heard his supplication and will receive his prayer. The final verses express faith that his enemies will be put to shame. This is not vindictiveness, but the assurance that righteousness will ultimately prevail.

Practical Application: Prayer brings perspective. As we cry out to God, He hears us, and that truth transforms our outlook from despair to hope.

Application for Today

Psalm 6 teaches us that faith is not the absence of pain or doubt, but rather the honesty to bring both before God. Whether you face illness, grief, or the attacks of enemies, you are invited to pray with David's candor. God is not offended by your tears or questions—He is present in them. As you pour out your heart before Him, remember that He hears, He cares, and He has promised deliverance according to His mercy.

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