Psalm 6/Notes/Lexical.v. 7.183119

• Verse 7 uses two different words to describe the place where the psalmist sleeps: my bed (מִטָּתִי) and my couch (עַרְשִׂי). The mention of a "bed"/"couch" supports the idea that the psalmist is a king, i.e., "David" (v. 1), since "in the ancient Near East a bed was a piece of luxury furniture... Ordinary individuals slept on the ground on spreads or rugs, covered with a cloak (Jgs. 4:18; Ex. 22:26–27)." The mention of a "bed" also supports the idea that the psalmist is suffering from some sickness (see above), since beds were sometimes associated with sickness (cf. 2 Kgs 1:4; Ps 41:4). The two words ("bed" and "couch") probably have the same referent, and it is difficult to discern a difference in meaning. TDOT suggests that the first word, "bed" (מִטָּה), which is the more common word, "refers to a bed with a wooden frame," while the second word, "couch" (עֶרֶשׂ) "denotes a more luxurious bed with frame, cushions, and the like."