Psalm 6
The psalm purports to have been written by David. It has been a very prevailing tradition that this psalm was written as David’s complaint in his sickness. Some commentators regard it as a psalm composed in view of sickness, and suppose it was written in consequence of sickness brought upon David in consequence of the rebellion of Absalom. Indeed, there has been a pretty general concurrence among expositors in the sentiment that, as the two previous psalms were composed in view of that rebellion, so this was also. The occasion of it was either some bodily disease the psalmist labored under, or some distress of soul, on account of sin. The psalm begins with the same words as Psalms 38:1 A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O Jehovah, do not rebuke me in Your wrath; neither chasten me in Your fury in which the psalmist so much bewails his iniquity.
Literary construct
1. A plea of the author for mercy and compassion in trouble, under the apprehension that God was rebuking and punishing him for his sins, Psa_6:1-2.
2. A description of his sufferings, Psa_6:2-7.
3. The assurance that God had heard his prayer, and that he would triumph over all his enemies, and that all his troubles would pass away, Psa_6:8-10.
Or seen this way:
1) The psalmist deprecates God's wrath, and begs for the return of his favor. Psa_6:1-7
2) He assures himself of an answer of peace. Psa_6:8-10
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.
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.
Psa 6:1 To 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.
To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith. The phrase “upon Sheminith” occurs here for the first time, and modifies the meaning of the title. The word Sheminith - shemîynîyth - means properly “the eighth,” and corresponds exactly to our word “octave,” the eighth. It seems to be one particular sort of the "neginoth", or stringed instrument, which this man had the care of. This receives confirmation from 1Chronicles
O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger - He had been apparently contemplating his afflictions, and inquiring into their cause, and he was led to the conclusion that it might be for his sins, and that his trials were to be interpreted as proof that God was angry with him. He speaks, therefore, of God as visiting him in his “anger,” and in his “hot displeasure,” and pleads with him that he would “not” thus rebuke and chasten him. The word “rebuke” here, like the word rendered “chasten,” properly refers to the reproof of an offender “by words,” but may also be used to denote the reproof which God administers by his providential dealings when he brings judgment upon anyone for his sins.
Neither chasten me - A word denoting substantially the same thing; used here in the sense of “punishing.”
Note the similarity to the first verse of Psalms 38:1 A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O Jehovah, do not rebuke me in Your wrath; neither chasten me in Your fury.
In thy hot displeasure - literally, “in thy heat.” We speak of anger or wrath as “burning,” or “consuming.” Compare Numbers 11:33 And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, before it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very great plague.
Psa 6:2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
Have mercy upon me, O Lord - That is, be gracious to me; or, show me compassion. This language may be used either in view of sin, of suffering, or of danger.
For I am weak - The original word here, 'ûmlal, means properly to languish or droop, as plants do that are blighted or as fields do in a drought, and is here applied to a sick person whose strength is withered and gone.
For my bones are vexed - Vexed is used here in reference to torment or to anguish. The bones are the strength and framework of the body, and the psalmist means here to say that the very source of his strength was gone; that that which supported him was prostrated; that his disease and sorrow had penetrated the most firm parts of his body.
Psa 6:3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?
How long? - That is, how long wilt thou leave me thus to suffer?
Psa 6:4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.
Return, O Lord, deliver my soul - The word “soul” in this place is used, as it often is, in the sense of “life,” for in the next verse he speaks of the grave to which he evidently felt he was rapidly descending.
Psa 6:5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
There is no remembrance of thee - The “ground” of this appeal is, that it was regarded by the psalmist as a “desirable” thing to remember God and to praise him, and that this could not be done by one who was dead. He prayed, therefore, that God would spare his life, and restore him to health, that he might praise him in the land of the living. A sentiment similar to this occurs in Psalms 30:9 What profit is in my blood, in going down to the pit? Shall the dust praise You? Shall it tell of Your truth? So also Psalms 88:11 Shall Your loving-kindness be declared in the grave? Or Your faithfulness in ruin? So also in Isaiah 38:18 For the grave cannot praise You, death can not rejoice in You; they who go down into the pit cannot hope for Your truth.
In the grave - Hebrew, bishe'ôl, “in Sheol.” Its meaning here does not differ materially from the word “grave.”
Psa 6:6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
All the night make I my bed to swim - The word here rendered “water” means to melt, to flow down; then, in the Hiphil, to cause to flow, to dissolve. The sense here is, that he caused his couch to “flow” or “overflow” with his tears. We would say, he “flooded” his bed with tears. That is, he wept so much that his bed seemed to be immersed in tears. This is, of course, hyperbolical language, expressing in a strong and emphatic manner the depth of his sorrows.
Psa 6:7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.
Mine eye is consumed - The word here rendered “consumed” - ‛âshêsh - means properly to fall in, to fall away, and is applied here to the “eye” as pining or wasting away from care, anxiety, and sorrow. Tears were poured forth from the eye, and it seemed to be exhausting itself in this manner. The meaning is, that it had grown “dim,” or that its sight began to fail, like that of an old man, on account of his troubles.
Because of all mine enemies - From the trouble which they have brought upon me.
Psa 6:8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.
Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity - Referring, by the “workers of iniquity,” to his enemies, as if they now surrounded him, and calling on them “now” to leave him, since God had heard his prayer, and they could not be successful in their purposes. This is an indirect but most emphatic way of saying that God had heard his prayer. This is, therefore, a remarkable and striking proof that prayer may be heard, even while we are speaking to God. See Isaiah 65:24 And it will be, before they call I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. that the assurance may be conveyed suddenly to the mind that God will hear and answer the prayer which is addressed to him.
Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity - Our Lord Jesus seems to borrow these words from the mouth of his father David, when, having all judgment committed to him, Luke 13:2 7 But He shall say, I tell you, I do not know you; from where you are. Depart from Me, all workers of unrighteousness! Matthew
Psa 6:9 The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
The Lord hath heard my supplication - Repeating the sentiment in the previous verse, to express his assurance and his joy. The word used properly signifies petitions for grace and mercy.
the Lord will receive my prayer; The imagery is of an offering, as sweet incense, as what is grateful and delightful.
Psa
And sore vexed - The same Hebrew word is used here which occurs in Psa_6:2-3, and rendered “vexed.” Sore vexed; or "troubled" as his bones had been vexed, and his soul had been sore vexed by them, now the image is that they should howl for vexation of spirit.
And be ashamed suddenly - Hebrew, “In a moment;” instantaneously. He desired that there might be no delay, but that their defeat might be accomplished at once.
This line is similar to verses in Psalm 35.
Psalms
Psalms 35:4 Let them be humbled and put to shame, those who seek after my soul; let them be turned back and be brought to blushing, those who plot evil to me.
Psalms 35:26 Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor together, those who magnify themselves over me.
