O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.

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

When David by his sins had provoked God’s wrath, and now felt not only his hand against him, but also conceived the horrors of death everlasting, he desireth forgiveness. 6 Bewailing that if God took him away in his indignation, he should lack occasion to praise him as he was wont to do while he was among men. 9 Then suddenly feeling God’s mercy, he sharply rebuketh his enemies which rejoiced in his affliction.

To him that excelleth on Neginoth, upon the eight tune. A Psalm of David.

O Lord, (A)[a]rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chastise me in thy wrath.

Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak: O Lord heal me, for my [b]bones are vexed.

[c]My soul is also sore troubled: but Lord, how long wilt thou delay?

Return, O Lord: deliver my soul: save me for thy mercy’s sake.

For in [d]death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall praise thee?

I fainted in my mourning: I cause my bed every night to swim, and water my couch with my tears.

[e]Mine eye is dimmed for despite, and sunk in because of all mine enemies.

[f]Away from me all ye workers of iniquity: for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.

The Lord hath heard my petition: the Lord will receive my prayer.

10 All mine enemies shall be confounded and sore vexed: they shall be turned back, and put to shame [g]suddenly.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 6:1 Though I deserve destruction, yet let thy mercy pity my frailty.
  2. Psalm 6:2 For my whole strength is abated.
  3. Psalm 6:3 His conscience is also touched with the fear of God’s judgment.
  4. Psalm 6:5 He lamenteth that occasion should be taken from him to praise God in the congregation.
  5. Psalm 6:7 Or, mine eye is eaten as it were with worms.
  6. Psalm 6:8 God sendeth comfort and boldness, in affliction, that we may triumph over our enemies.
  7. Psalm 6:10 When the wicked think that the godly shall perish, God delivereth them suddenly, and destroyeth their enemies.

Psalm 6[a]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith.[b] A psalm of David.

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger(A)
    or discipline me in your wrath.
Have mercy on me,(B) Lord, for I am faint;(C)
    heal me,(D) Lord, for my bones are in agony.(E)
My soul is in deep anguish.(F)
    How long,(G) Lord, how long?

Turn,(H) Lord, and deliver me;
    save me because of your unfailing love.(I)
Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
    Who praises you from the grave?(J)

I am worn out(K) from my groaning.(L)

All night long I flood my bed with weeping(M)
    and drench my couch with tears.(N)
My eyes grow weak(O) with sorrow;
    they fail because of all my foes.

Away from me,(P) all you who do evil,(Q)
    for the Lord has heard my weeping.
The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;(R)
    the Lord accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;(S)
    they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.(T)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 6:1 In Hebrew texts 6:1-10 is numbered 6:2-11.
  2. Psalm 6:1 Title: Probably a musical term