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.

O Lord, Deliver My Life

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments; according to (A)The Sheminith.[a] A Psalm of David.

O Lord, (B)rebuke me not in your anger,
    nor (C)discipline me in your wrath.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
    (D)heal me, O Lord, (E)for my bones are troubled.
My (F)soul also is greatly troubled.
    But you, O Lord(G)how long?

Turn, O Lord, deliver my life;
    save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
For in (H)death there is no remembrance of you;
    in Sheol who will give you praise?

I am (I)weary with my (J)moaning;
    every night I flood my bed with tears;
    I drench my couch with my weeping.
My (K)eye wastes away because of grief;
    it grows weak because of all my foes.

(L)Depart from me, all you (M)workers of evil,
    for the Lord (N)has heard the sound of my weeping.
The Lord has heard my (O)plea;
    the Lord accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;
    they shall (P)turn back and be put to shame in a moment.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 6:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term