Psalm 6

A David Psalm

^1–26Please, God, no more yelling,

no more trips to the woodshed.

Treat me nice for a change;

I’m so starved for affection.

^2–3Can’t you see I’m black-and-blue,

beat up badly in bones and soul?

God, how long will it take

for you to let up?

^4–5Break in, God, and break up this fight;

if you love me at all, get me out of here.

I’m no good to you dead, am I?

I can’t sing in your choir if I’m buried in some tomb!

^6–7I’m tired of all this—so tired. My bed

has been floating forty days and nights

On the flood of my tears.

My mattress is soaked, soggy with tears.

The sockets of my eyes are black holes;

nearly blind, I squint and grope.

^8–9Get out of here, you Devil’s crew:

at last God has heard my sobs.

My requests have all been granted,

my prayers are answered.

¹⁰Cowards, my enemies disappear.

Disgraced, they turn tail and run.