This penitential lament pleads with the LORD not to rebuke in wrath, because body and soul alike are breaking under distress. Yet the psalm does not remain in exhaustion: from tears, frailty, and the nearness of death it moves into sudden certainty that the LORD has heard, so enemies who seemed overwhelming are now sent away in shame.
Psalm 6 is one of the Psalter's earliest and clearest cries from chastened suffering, joining physical weakness, spiritual anguish, and longing for mercy in a single prayer. It teaches that lament may begin under the shadow of divine displeasure yet still end in confidence when the psalmist is assured that the LORD has heard.
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F1or the choirmaster. With stringed instruments, according to Sheminith. A Psalm of David. 2Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; 3My soul is deeply distressed.
4Turn, O LORD, and deliver my soul; 5For there is no mention of You in death;
6I am weary from groaning; 7My eyes fail from grief;
8Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, 9The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; 10All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed;
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