6:1ffThis is the first of seven “penitential” psalms, in which the writer humbly realizes his predicament (usually the result of sin), expresses sorrow over it, and demonstrates a fresh commitment to remain close to God. We don’t know the cause of David’s pain, but whatever the cause, he sought God for the remedy.
Life Application Study BiblePsalmsChapter 6
Psalm 6
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original page: 848
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
6Psalm 6
2Have compassion on me, Lor, for I am weak.Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.
3Tam sick at heart.How long, O Lor, until you restore me?
4Return, O LORD, and rescue me.Save me because of your unfailing love.
5For the dead do not remember you.Who can praise you from the grave?*
6[am worn out from sobbing.All night I flood my bed with weeping,drenching it with my tears.
7My vision is blurred by grief;my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.8 Go away, all you who do evil,for the LORD has heard my weeping.
8The LORD has heard my plea;the LORD will answer my prayer.
10May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified.May they suddenly turn back in shame.Theme: A request for justice against those who make slanderous comments. God is theperfect judge and will punish those who persecute the innocent.
Author: David
1 Apsalm of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush of the tribe of Benjamin.
Textual footnotes
- 6:5 Hebrew from Sheol?
Life Application Notes 3 notes
6:1-3David accepted God’s punishment, but he begged God not to discipline him in anger. Jeremiah also asked God to correct him gently and not in anger (Jeremiah 10:24). David recognized that if God treated him with justice alone and not with mercy, he would be wiped out by God’s wrath. Often we want God to show mercy to us and justice to everyone else. God in his kindness forgives us instead of giving us what we deserve.
6:6Pouring out his heart with tears, David was completely honest with God. We can be honest with God even when we are filled with anger or despair because God knows us thoroughly and