Psalm 6

Overview

"The sound of my weeping"

Purpose: To plead for mercy and healing.

Content: YHWH have mercy and heal me, because I am near death, and no one can praise you in death.

Message: "A moment in his anger; a lifetime in his favor..." (Ps. 30:6). YHWH's loyalty to David is stronger than sin and death.

Author: David

Translation

Click 'Expand' to the right to see our Close-but-Clear translation of Psalm 6.

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1. For the director, with stringed instruments, on the octave. A psalm by David.

2. YHWH, do not correct me in your anger,

and do not discipline me in your wrath.

3. Have mercy on me, YHWH, for I am languishing.

Heal me, YHWH, for my bones have become dismayed.

4. And my soul has become very dismayed.

And you, YHWH, how long?

5. Turn back, YHWH. Rescue my soul.

Save me for the sake of your loyalty.

6. For there is no commemoration of you in the world of the dead.

In Sheol, who praises you?

7. I have grown weary because of my groaning.

I drench my couch every night.

With my tears I melt my bed.

8. My eye has wasted away because of vexation.

It has become weak because of all my adversaries.

9. Move away from me, all workers of evil.

For YHWH has heard the sound of my weeping.

10. YHWH has heard my supplication.

YHWH will accept my prayer.

11. Let all my enemies be shamed and very dismayed.

Let them turn back. Let them be shamed in an instant.

The Close-but-clear translation (CBC) exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text according to how we understand its syntax and word-to-phrase-level semantics. It is not intended to be used as a stand-alone translation or base text, but as a supplement to Layer-by-Layer materials to help users make full use of these resources.

For links to other translations of Psalm 6, click here.

Videos

Poetic Features Video

Video forthcoming

Exegetical Issues Video

Video forthcoming

Verse-by-Verse

Click the link to view all of Psalm 6 Verse-by-Verse, or click on an individual verse below.

• v. 1
• v. 2
• v. 3
• v. 4
• v. 5-6
• v. 7
• v. 8
• v. 9-10
• v. 11

Layer-by-Layer

Psalm Overview

• Grammar
• Semantics
• Story behind the Psalm
• Discourse
• Poetics

Exegetical Issues

Forthcoming