Types of Psalms Table

6:title music director See note on 4:title.

on the Sheminith The Hebrew word used here, sheminith, is a technical term that refers to the manner of musical accompaniment. It is related to the word shemoneh, meaning “eight”; it may mean an instrument with eight strings or indicate the tune or key of the psalm.

A psalm of David See note on 3:title.

6:1 do not rebuke me in your anger The same opening phrase as Psa 38. Yahweh’s discipline is usually seen in the ot as a positive way of receiving instruction (94:12; Job 5:17; Prov 3:12). However, the emphasis here is not on Yahweh’s discipline in general, but on the method and severity of the discipline.

6:2 Be gracious to me The psalmist asks God for His favor and compassion instead of continued discipline.

6:3 My soul The Hebrew word used here, nephesh, while often translated “soul,” can also mean “life” (see note on Gen 1:20–25); the psalmist worried for his life.

Old Testament Anthropology

how long This cry is common in lament psalms (e.g., Ps 13:1; 35:17; 74:10; 90:13). The psalmist desperately cries out for God to act, expressing concern that God allows his suffering to continue.

6:4 Turn, O Yahweh The psalmist emphatically petitions Yahweh for deliverance. Using three different Hebrew terms that can be translated “turn” (shuv), “deliver” (chalats), and “save” (yasha’), the psalmist appeals to Yahweh to deliver his life (nephesh in Hebrew; see note on v. 3).

your steadfast love The psalmist appeals to God’s chesed—His faithful, covenantal love (see note on Ps 5:7). His unfailing love may prompt God to turn His anger and deliver the psalmist.

Chesed Word Study

6:5 there is no remembrance of you in death The psalmist gives a second reason for Yahweh to act: Death will prevent him from publicly proclaiming Yahweh’s deliverance (30:9; 115:17).

Sheol The Hebrew text here uses the word she’ol, the Hebrew word for the realm of the dead (the underworld). See note on Job 14:13.

Old Testament Theology of the Afterlife

6:8 Depart from me While the psalmist’s enemies are not the cause of his suffering, they aggravate his despair. The psalmist rebukes them.

Yahweh has heard The psalmist can rebuke his enemies because of his trust in Yahweh’s response. Individual lament psalms often end with a transition from lament to praise, as the psalmist expresses confidence in God’s response (Psa 22:24; 28:6; 31:21–22).

6:9 Yahweh has accepted my prayer God accepts the psalmist’s prayer for mercy and removes His severe discipline.

6:10 shall be ashamed and shall be very terrified The enemies were a source of grief who aggravated the psalmist’s suffering. Yahweh’s restoration of the psalmist brings shame to his enemies. The great trouble that affected the psalmist’s life (v. 3) will now be on his enemies.