Psalm 6/Notes/Lexical.v. 2.155300

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  • Verse 2 uses two near-synonymous terms to describe YHWH's corrective action: correct me (תוֹכִיחֵנִי) and discipline me (תְיַסְּרֵנִי). SDBH defines the first term as an "action by which humans or deities inflict a penalty on others as retribution for what they have done" and the second term as an "action by which humans or deities respond to negative behavior of (other) humans by administering some sort of punishment, which may range from a verbal rebuke to physical correction." If the SDBH definitions are correct, then the use of these verbs implies some previous wrongdoing, probably on the part of the psalmist. It would seem that David has sinned against YHWH and is facing the consequences.[1]
  1. ↑ This inference is supported by comparison to similar Psalms (Pss 38; 41) in which sin is explicit. Other commentators have made this same point. E.g., NET Bible note on v. 2: “The implication is that the psalmist has sinned, causing God to discipline him.” Cf. Anderson 1972, 88; Rogerson & McKay 1977, 32; Kraus 1988, 162; et al. Furthermore, the following verses imply that the psalmist is suffering from sickness, and "in the Psalms, sickness is closely linked with sin" (Pss 41:4; 107:17-20) (Keel 1997, 62).