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Psalms 6

Psalms 6 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Psalm 6 is a short, urgent prayer from David in a time of deep distress. He asks God for mercy, healing, and rescue, while honestly describing his weakness, grief, and tears. The psalm moves from pleading to confidence as David trusts that the Lord has heard his cry.

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What happens in Psalms 6?

David begins by asking the Lord not to rebuke or discipline him in anger, but to show mercy and heal his frailty. He describes his soul as deeply troubled and his body and eyes as worn down by grief. Through the night he weeps and feels surrounded by enemies. Then the tone shifts: David tells the evildoers to depart, because the Lord has heard his crying and accepted his prayer. The psalm ends with the confidence that his enemies will be shamed and turned back.

Psalm 6 is the first of several psalms that express distress, repentance, and trust in God's help. As a psalm of David for the choirmaster, it was meant for worship and public use. In the flow of the Psalms, it follows a prayer for God to lead and protect the righteous, and it continues the theme of seeking God's mercy in trouble.

Themes to notice

  • MercyDavid does not appeal to his own strength, but asks God to respond with compassion.
  • SorrowThe psalm gives voice to physical pain, deep grief, and tears brought on by affliction.
  • Answered prayerThe ending turns on confidence that God has heard and accepted the cry for help.

Questions for Psalms 6

  • What does David ask God for at the start of this psalm, and why?
  • How does the psalm describe the effect of grief on David's body and soul?
  • What changes in David's tone once he trusts that the Lord has heard his prayer?

Read the full text of Psalms 6 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Psalms 6

Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger

For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments, according to Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

1O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger

or discipline me in Your wrath.

2Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail;

heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony.

3My soul is deeply distressed.

How long, O LORD, how long?

4Turn, O LORD, and deliver my soul;

save me because of Your loving devotion.

5For there is no mention of You in death;

who can praise You from Sheol?

6I am weary from groaning;

all night I flood my bed with weeping

and drench my couch with tears.

7My eyes fail from grief;

they grow dim because of all my foes.

8Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity,

for the LORD has heard my weeping.

9The LORD has heard my cry for mercy;

the LORD accepts my prayer.

10All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed;

they will turn back in sudden disgrace.

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