1 {To the chief Musician. On stringed instruments, upon Sheminith. A Psalm of David.} Jehovah, rebuke me not in thine anger, and chasten me not in thy hot displeasure.
{A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.} Jehovah, rebuke me not in thy wrath; neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to lead [the singing].
Fear thou not, my servant Jacob, saith Jehovah: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee, but I will not make a full end of thee; but I will correct thee with judgment, and I will not hold thee altogether guiltless.
Then will he speak to them in his anger, and in his fierce displeasure will he terrify them:
{To the chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.} When I call, answer me, O God of my righteousness: in pressure thou hast enlarged me; be gracious unto me, and hear my prayer.
Jah hath chastened me sore; but he hath not given me over unto death.
For this is [as] the waters of Noah unto me, since I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth: so have I sworn that I will no more be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
Jehovah, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 6
Commentary on Psalms 6 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 6
Ps 6:1-10. On Neginoth (See on Ps 4:1, title) upon Sheminith—the eighth—an instrument for the eighth key; or, more probably, the bass, as it is contrasted with Alamoth (the treble, Ps 46:1) in 1Ch 15:20, 21. In deep affliction the Psalmist appeals to God's mercy for relief from chastisement, which otherwise must destroy him, and thus disable him for God's service. Sure of a gracious answer, he triumphantly rebukes his foes.
1. He owns his ill desert in begging a relief from chastisement.
2. I am weak—as a culled plant (Isa 24:4).
my bones—the very frame.
are vexed—(Ps 2:5)—shaken with fear.
3. how long?—shall this be so (compare Ps 79:5).
but—or, "and."
thou—The sentence is incomplete as expressive of strong emotion.
4. Return—that is, to my relief; or, "turn," as now having His face averted.
for thy mercies' sake—to illustrate Thy mercy.
5. (Compare Ps 115:17, 18; Isa 38:18). There is no incredulity as to a future state. The contrast is between this scene of life, and the grave or Sheol, the unseen world of the dead.
give … thanks—or, "praise for mercies."
6. By a strong figure the abundance as well as intensity of grief is depicted.
7. consumed—or, "has failed," denoting general debility (Ps 13:3; 38:10).
waxeth old—or, "dim."
grief—mingled with indignation.
8, 9. Assured of God's hearing, he suddenly defies his enemies by an address indicating that he no longer fears them.
10. and knows they will be disappointed and in their turn (compare Ps 6:3) be terror-stricken or confounded.