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Book of Psalms


Psalm 6

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David

King James Version

1 O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?
4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.
8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.
9 The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.1

References and notes
1. King James Authorized Version
2. CLARKE'S COMMENTARY - PSALMS 6 - http:// www.godrules .net/library /clarke/ clarkepsa 6.htm
3. Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary - Vol. 3 pg. 643
4. Matthew Henry Bible Commentary - http://eword .gospelcom .net/ comments /psalm/mh /psalm6.htm

SONG PREVIEW

Click on image for song preview of Psalm 6. The music was composed in 2008. Psalm 6 features on the CD album The Complete Psalms: Psalms 1-10.

 

TITLE

This Psalm has the following inscription: To the chief Musician on Neginoth, upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David; which the Chaldee translates, "To be sung on neginoth, a harp of eight strings."2

A PENITENTIAL PSALM

Psalm 6 is the first of seven penitential psalms. It is profoundly personal. Maclaren says: "If ever a throb of personal anguish found tears and a voice, it does so in this psalm." Luther called it "a penitential prayer for the health of the body and the soul." In it the psalmist expresses his bodily agony and torment of soul as he is taunted by those who maintain that God has forsaken him. Although he is at the brink of death, he fervently prays for relief and insists that God hears his prayer and redeems him. Like Psalm 3, this psalm exhibits a sudden dramatic change: in vs. 8-10 profound melancholy is turned into exaltation.3

NEGINOTH

The various interpretations given to this inscription, both by ancients and moderns, show us that nothing is known concerning it. We have already seen that neginoth probably signifies all instruments which emitted sounds by strokes, or stringed instruments in general. This Psalm was to be accompanied with such instruments; but one of a particular kind is specified, viz., sheminith; so called from its having eight strings. The chief musician is directed to accompany the recital of this Psalm with the above instrument.2

DIVISION

Now here,
I. He pours out his complaints before God, deprecates his wrath, and begs earnestly for the return of his favour (v. 1-7).
II. He assures himself of an answer of peace, shortly, to his full satisfaction (v. 8-10).
This psalm is like the book of Job.4

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