David's complaint in his sickness, 1-7. He triumphs over his enemies, 8-10.
1 [To the Chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith. A Psalm of David.]
O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger,/
neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.
2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am weak./
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are agitated.
3 My soul is also greatly disquieted./
But you, O LORD, how long?
4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul./
Oh save me for your mercy's sake.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of you./
In the grave, who will give you thanks?
6 I am weary with my groaning./
All the night I make my bed to swim./
I water my couch with my tears.
7 My eye is consumed because of grief./
It grows old because of all my enemies.
8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity,/
for the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.
9 The LORD has heard my supplication./
The LORD will receive my prayer.
10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly disquieted./
Let them return and be suddenly ashamed.
Matthew Henry Commentary - Psalms, Chapter 6[➚]
John Calvin's Chapter Summary:
David, being afflicted by the hand of God, acknowledges that he had provoked the Divine wrath by his sins, and, therefore, in order to obtain relief, he prays for forgiveness. At the same time, he regrets, that by being taken out of the world, he would be deprived of an opportunity of praising God. Then, having obtained confidence, he celebrates the grace of God, and directs his discourse to his enemies, who triumphed over his calamities.
[v.3] - Quoted in John 12:27.
[v.8] - Quoted in Matthew 7:23; Luke 13:27.
[v.8-10] - From John Calvin's Commentary: "The confidence and security which David takes to himself from the favor of God ought also to be noticed. From this, we are taught that there is nothing in the whole world, whatever it may be, and whatever opposition it may make to us, which we may not despise, if we are fully persuaded of our being beloved by God; and by this also we understand what his fatherly love can do for us... When God suddenly changes men's afflicted condition into one of joy and happiness, he thereby manifests more illustriously his power, and makes it appear the more wonderful."