Christianity

Psalms 6A Cry for Healing

Summary

Psalm 6 is a lament from someone weak in body and troubled in soul who asks God not to rebuke him in anger. He describes nights flooded with tears and eyes worn out by grief, and asks how long the suffering will last. Suddenly he declares that the LORD has heard his weeping and tells his enemies to depart. Christian tradition counts it as the first of seven penitential psalms, and Ashkenazi Jews recite it in the daily Tachanun supplication.

Key verse

“Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.”

Psalms 6:2

Themes

Suffering
Repentance
Healing
Answered Prayer

O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?

Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.

For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Judaism
Tehillim 6 in the JPS 1917 Tanakh
Ashkenazi communities recite this psalm in Tachanun, the supplication said with the head lowered after the weekday Amidah, as a plea for mercy and healing.
Christianity
Matthew 7: Depart from Me
Jesus' words in Matthew 7:23 echo Psalm 6:8, Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity, applying them to the final judgment.

Questions about Psalms 6

What are the seven penitential psalms?

Christian tradition, going back at least to the sixth century writer Cassiodorus, groups Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 and 143 as psalms of repentance, often prayed during Lent.

Why does Psalm 6 say there is no remembrance of God in death?

Verse 5 reflects an early Israelite view of Sheol as a shadowy place where the dead cannot praise God. The speaker uses it as a reason for God to heal him now.