The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 6
In brief
Psalm 6 is a prayer of David at his lowest: a body without strength, a troubled soul, nights spent in tears. He does not look for fine phrases. He tells the Lord how weak he is and asks him to return. The psalm changes tone at the end: David declares that God has heard his voice. Christian tradition counts it among the psalms of repentance, but the text does not name any particular fault. It teaches us to pray honestly in hard times.
The chapter in 3 parts
1Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your anger, neither discipline me in your wrath.
2Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am faint. Yahweh, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
3My soul is also in great anguish. But you, Yahweh—how long?
4Return, Yahweh. Deliver my soul, and save me for your loving kindness’ sake.
5For in death there is no memory of you. In Sheol, who shall give you thanks?
6I am weary with my groaning. Every night I flood my bed. I drench my couch with my tears.
7My eye wastes away because of grief. It grows old because of all my adversaries.
8Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for Yahweh has heard the voice of my weeping.
9Yahweh has heard my supplication. Yahweh accepts my prayer.
10May all my enemies be ashamed and dismayed. They shall turn back, they shall be disgraced suddenly.
Key verses
Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am faint. Yahweh, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
David hides nothing: he says he is faint and his bones are troubled, and he asks to be healed. We can come to God with simple words and show him our weakness just as it is.
Return, Yahweh. Deliver my soul, and save me for your loving kindness’ sake.
The prayer rests on God's mercy, not on David's merits. It asks God to return and deliver. It is a plea, not a demand.
I am weary with my groaning. Every night I flood my bed. I drench my couch with my tears.
This verse describes suffering that lasts: sleepless nights and tears on the bed. It shows that the Bible is not ashamed of a believer's tears.
Yahweh has heard my supplication. Yahweh accepts my prayer.
The turning point of the psalm: after the cry, David states with confidence that the Lord hears and accepts his prayer. This certainty is born from prayer itself, before any visible answer.
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Frequently asked questions about Psalm 6
What does Psalm 6 mean?
Psalm 6 is the prayer of David, overwhelmed by suffering, tears and the hostility of his enemies. He begs the Lord to have mercy, to return and to deliver him. The psalm ends with an assurance: God has heard the voice of his weeping. It teaches that we can pray without a mask when we are at the end of our strength.
How can I pray Psalm 6 today?
You can read it slowly as your own prayer, especially in a season of exhaustion or grief. Use the first verses to tell God where you are, then verse 4 to lean on his mercy. Finish with verses 9 and 10, thanking God for hearing you, even if your situation has not changed yet.
Why is Psalm 6 called a psalm of repentance?
Since ancient times the Church has counted this psalm among seven so-called penitential psalms, because of the request in verse 1 not to be rebuked in God's anger. Yet the text names no specific fault. Many see it first as the prayer of a man under trial, who entrusts himself to God's mercy.
Articles quoting Psalm 6
World English Bible translation — public domain.