“[To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.] 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?” (Psalm 6:1–3)
David is now in great suffering. From the text alone, we cannot know for certain whether he was physically ill. However, it seems clear that he understood this suffering in connection with God’s discipline. Therefore, he asks that even if God disciplines him, He would not do so in His anger and wrath.
When God is angry, there is no one whose soul and bones would not tremble because of its terror. The psalmist, seeing God’s judgment upon the wicked, said:
“My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.” (Psalm 119:120)
Those who do not receive Jesus Christ should tremble greatly in fear. On the day of God’s judgment, there will be no mercy of God to be found, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation that will devour His adversaries (Hebrews 10:27). God also says, “Will ye not fear me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence…?” (Jeremiah 5:22)
Deliver My Soul
Because David knows the terror of God’s wrath, he pleads that although God may discipline him, He would not do so in His wrath. And in the midst of his suffering, he cries out to God to save him.
“Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.” (Psalm 6:4)
David appeals only to God’s mercy. For the one who fears discipline has nothing to hold on to except the mercy of God. He also pleads with tears that God would preserve his life, because if he dies, he will no longer be able to remember or praise God on this earth.
“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.” (Psalm 6:5–6)
The Tears and Cries of Jesus
David shed tears night after night because of his own sin and suffering. Yet beyond those tears, we can see the image of Jesus Christ, who wept because of the sins of sinners and the judgment that would come upon them. Scripture says:
“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.” (Hebrews 5:7)
David prayed with tears that he might be delivered from death, but Jesus prayed with strong crying and tears in order to deliver sinners from death.
David had wept and grieved for so long that even his eyes had grown weak.
“Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.” (Psalm 6:7)
This image of David overlaps with the words Jesus spoke to His disciples in Gethsemane:
“My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.” (Matthew 26:38)
The LORD Hath Heard the Voice of My Weeping
David’s confession, which had been filled with tears and lamentation, suddenly changes.
“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.” (Psalm 6:8–9)
The text does not say that David’s circumstances had already changed. Yet a remarkable change had taken place within him. He became certain that God had heard his weeping and supplication. Because of this, David gained boldness.
This reminds us of Jesus Christ, who offered prayers with strong crying and tears as He faced the cross. Scripture testifies that His prayer “was heard” (Hebrews 5:7).
Having become certain that the God who hears his prayer is on his side, David now boldly cries out to his enemies:
“Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.”
This cry reminds us of the words Jesus will speak to those who practice lawlessness on the day of judgment:
“I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:23)
They Shall Turn Back Ashamed
David believed that those who opposed him would ultimately retreat before God.
“Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.” (Psalm 6:10)
At first, David’s bones and soul trembled, but now all his enemies would be put to shame and tremble. The word “suddenly” also shows that God’s judgment and answer come in a moment. David’s tears continued for a long time, but God’s answer comes suddenly.
When Jesus was crucified, His enemies also thought they had won. People mocked Jesus, His disciples scattered, and at last Jesus died. But that was not the end. God raised Jesus from the dead. The cross, which people regarded as defeat, became instead God’s way of salvation that conquered sin and death. On the last day, every enemy will bow before Jesus.
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9–11)