Psalm

An Appeal for Forgiveness and Deliverance

For the music director; with stringed instruments, on the Sheminith.[a]

A psalm of David.[b]

O Yahweh, do not rebuke me in your anger,

and do not discipline me in your wrath.

Be gracious to me, O Yahweh, because I am feeble.

Heal me, O Yahweh, for my bones are terrified.

My soul is also very terrified.

But you, O Yahweh, how long?

Turn, O Yahweh; deliver my life.[c]

Save me for the sake of your steadfast love.[d]

For there is no remembrance of you in death.

In Sheol, who will give thanks to you?

I am weary with my groaning;

I flood[e] my bed every night.

With my tears I drench[f] my couch.

My eye wastes away because of vexation;

it grows old because of all my oppressors.

Depart from me, all workers of evil,

for Yahweh has heard the sound of my weeping.

Yahweh has heard my plea;

Yahweh has accepted my prayer.

10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and shall be very terrified.

They shall turn back; they shall suddenly be ashamed.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 6:1 Hebrew “upon the eighth”; meaning uncertain
  2. Psalm 6:1 The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm; the English verse number is reduced by one
  3. Psalm 6:4 Or “my soul”; same word as in v. 3
  4. Psalm 6:4 Or “loyal love”
  5. Psalm 6:6 Literally “I make my bed float”
  6. Psalm 6:6 Literally “I cause to melt”