Psalms 6

David being very sick, presenteth his misery before God, and fervently prayeth for mercy and recovery; and being assured of a gracious hearing, trumpheth over all his wicked Enemies.

1. A Psalm of David, fro the chief Son-master, [See Psalm 4.on verse 1.] on Neginoth [see Psalm 4. On verse 1.] upon the sheminth. [i.e. the eight, or octave. Some take it for an eight stringed instrument; or for certain Musical-air; Or for the eight string, called the Octave, by Musicians. See also 1 Chron.15.on v.21.]

2. O LORD, correct me not in thine anger, and chasten me not [Compare Jer.10.on v.24. The Hebrew word signifieth not only to reprehend, reprove, instruct, by words, but likewise frequently to do it with blows, and stripes. See Proverbs 9.on v.7.] ion thy fierceness.

3. Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am weakened; [Or grown feeble, fainting] heal me, LORD, for my bones are frighted:

4. Yea, my soul is much affrighted: and thou, LORD, how long? [Understand shalt thou delay or defer thine help yet! How long wilt thou leave me in this misery?]

5. Turn again, LORD; [That seemest to have forsaken me, or turned thy back unto me, because thou hast not delivered me yet] rescue my soul, save me for thy kindness sake.

6. For in death there is no remembrance of thee; who shall praise thee in the grave? [The meaning is, The dead cannot magnify Gods name in his Church on Earth, wherein never the less God taketh a singular pleasure; and which David was resolved solemnly to perform, after his custom, for the glory of God, and the edification of his Church, if he were recovered once of his sickness. Compare Psalms 30:10. and 88.11. and 115.17. and 118.17. Isa.38.18,19. And see further Job 7.on verse 2.]

7. I am weary of my sighing; I make my bed to swim the whole night, [i.e. Whole nights over; or all night; or every night] I wet my bedstead thorough with my tears. [These are figurative speeches, serving to express and set forth the greatness of his pain and suffering, together with his much and continual weeping.]

8. Mine eye is gnawed through [Or, consumed, eaten up, as Psalms 31:10. Compare Job 17:7. and the annotation there] of vexation is grown old, [worn out, decayed, wasted, and consumed] because of all mine adversaries. [that take pleasure and delight in this my suffering, and would be glad to see me dead.]

9. Retire from me, all ye workers of iniquity; [Here and in the sequel David manifesteth his faith and confidence of Gods gracious and assured hearing him] for the LOD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

10. The LORD hath heard my supplication: the LORD will accept my prayer.

11. All mine Enemies shall be much ashamed and abashed; they shall recoil, they shall be ashamed in a moment, [i.e. very suddenly and unwares.]