Psalms 6

To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith. A Psalm of David. When David laboured under some grievous disease, he made his complaints to God, and deprecated his displeasure, according to the sense of this Psalm. Which he composed, it is likely, after his recovery: and ordered the master of music in the tabernacle, to cause it to be sung to the harp of eight strings. That seems to be the best interpretation of Sheminith, which the Chaldee follows; and it may be justified from what we read 1 Chron. xv.. 21. Of Neginoth, see Psalm iv. By way of accommodation, tho words of this Psalm have been applied to the sickness of the mind; but, upon the former account also, it may be called one of the penitential Psalms.

Psalms 6:1

\J LORD, rebuke me not in thine. anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.* Lord, who delightest in mercy, moderate, I beseech thee, thy sharp correction; and do not proceed to inflict upon me the severest marks of thy displeasure.

Psalms 6:2

Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. I am brought very low already, my strength faileth me, and every joint in my body trembles; and therefore now, O Lord, thy mercy will come very seasonably. Good Lord,, from whom alone I expect a cure, let it be sufficient that I have suffered so much already, and vouchsafe to heal me.

Psalms 6:3

My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long?. For this sore affliction, and the dread of thy farther displeasure, have struck into my soul also an exceeding great consternation; and how long it will continue, thou, Lord, alone knowest.

Psalms 6:4

Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: O save me for thy mercies sake.* My enemies think thou hast quite forsaken me: convince them of their error, O Lord, by being reconciled, and restoring to me the kindness thou wast wont to shew me. Deliver me from this anguish and fear, and (though not for my merits, yet) for thy mercy save me from going down into the grave.

Psalms 6:5

For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?. For there I can have no opportunity to do thee service; the dead being utterly unable to commemorate thy wonderful works, and propagate the memory 6f them to posterity. As long as I live I will shew forth thy praise; but who can celebrate thy name, and instruct thy people, in the grave? Ver. G. I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim: I water my couch with my tears.] To that silent place I shall soon descend, unless thou makest haste to deliver me; for I am tired out with these pains under which I* groan. The -night, which is wont to quiet all men’s grief, and lay their troubles asleep, is to me so restless and uneasy, that the incessant agonies I am in dissolve me into sweat; and I do nothing but pour out floods of tears.

Psalms 6:7

Mine eye is consumed because of grief f it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. Which have made such furrows in my face, that my countenance hath lost all its beauty, and looks like that of a consumptive man.whois dropping into his grave. I am worn’ away with the ntere grief and indignation of seeing all mine enemies insulting over me, and with joy waiting for my death.

Psalms 6:8

Depart from me, all ye wbrkers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. But why am I thus concerned at their behaviour; and torment myself, as if my life depended on their pleasure; which is in the hand of God alone; who pities my mournful condition, and will grant me that which I have sought with so many tears? And therefore go your way, ye evil-doers, and stay no longer here expecting my death. Desist from all your wicked contrivances against me, and be not so vain as to hope to triumph over me. •'

Psalms 6:9

The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer. The Lord hath not rejected me, as you imagine; but is graciously pleased both with my deprecation of his displeasure, and with my petitions to him for his favour. ■

Psalms 6:10

Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly. And therefore I tell my enemies once more, that they shall all be ashamed of their vain hopes to see me dead. I shall live to disappoint them, and make them terribly afraid: nay, they shall make a sudden retreat, and be confounded to see themselves’ so shamefully defeated.