Psalm 6:2-4 NIV

The moan of a saint, and the mercy of his God. For the significance of the title of this psalm, see the Exposition. An expositor well remarks that the confessed uncertainty on the part of the best Hebrew scholars as to the meaning or many of the titles is a striking proof of their antiquity, since it shows that the clue thereto is lost in oblivion. This psalm belongs to those specified under the first head of our introductory homily, as one of those in which we have the strugglings and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:1-10

A cry to God, and its response. I. THE CRY OF THE FAINTING SOUL . Circumstances are adverse. There is gloom without and within. Conscience accuses. God seems full of wrath. Death is regarded, not as a release, but as the minister of judgment; and the grave, not as a quiet resting-place, but as a "pit," loathsome and terrible. Amidst the darkness, and with fears on every side: 1 . God ' s indignation is deprecated . Affliction is hard to bear; but with God's wrath it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:1-10

Night and morning in the soul. I. NIGHT . There is darkness. God hides himself. There is dreariness. The soul is left alone with sad and distressing thoughts. There is depression. The ghosts of past misdeeds rise up. There are nameless terrors. But though perplexed, there need not be despair. God is near. He can help. He can even give songs in the night. II. MORNING . Light comes, bringing hope and peace. God has beard the cry of his child. Such deliverances are comforting. They... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:1-10

Great afflictions, greater consolation. The language m this psalm may seem exaggerated and unreal. But it is not so. Want of imagination and sympathy in some, and want of experience in others, make them unfit judges. We neither know our strength nor our weakness till we are tried. The man who may have stood up to help others in their troubles may be cast down and disconsolate when visited with trouble himself ( Job 4:3-5 ). Learn— I. THAT THERE ARE WORSE AFFLICTIONS THAN ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:1-10

Deliverance from sore trouble. "In the malice of his enemies David sees the rod of God's chastisement, and, therefore makes his prayer to God for deliverance. The struggle has lasted so long, the grief is so bitter, that his health has given way, and he has been brought to the gates of the grave. But ere long light and peace visit him, and he breaks forth into the joy of thanksgiving." I. A PICTURE OF COMPLICATED DISTRESS . 1 . Danger from outward foes. Producing constant... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:2

Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak ; rather, I am faint , or languid— withered away, like a faded plant or flower. O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. Bodily ailment seems certainly to be implied; but it is that sort of bodily ailment which is often produced by mental distress—a general languor, weariness, and distaste for exertion (comp. Psalms 22:14 ; Psalms 31:10 ; Psalms 38:3 ; Psalms 102:3 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:3

My soul is also sore vexed . It is not, however, the body alone which suffers; the soul also is vexed, and vexed greatly ( מְאֹד ). Clearly the main emphasis is intended to be laid on the mental suffering. But thou, O Lord, how long! We may fill up the ellipse in various ways: "How long wilt thou look on?" "How long wilt thou hide thyself?" "How long wilt thou be angry?" (see Psalms 34:17 ; Psalms 79:5 ; Psalms 89:46 ). Or again, "How long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear?" ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:4

Return, O Lord. God seemed to have withdrawn himself, to have, forsaken the mourner, and gone far away (comp. Psalms 22:1 ). Hence the cry, "Return" (comp. Psalms 80:14 ; Psalms 90:13 ). Nothing is so hard to endure as the feeling of being deserted by God. Deliver my soul . "The psalmist feels himself so wretched in soul and body, that he believes himself to be near death" (Hengstenberg). His prayer here is, primarily, for deliverance from this impending danger, as appears clearly... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 6:2

Have mercy upon me, O Lord - That is, be gracious to me; or, show me compassion. This language may be used either in view of sin, of suffering, or of danger. It is a cry to God to interpose, and remove some present source of trouble, and may be employed by one who feels that he is a sinner, or by one on a bed of pain, or by one surrounded by enemies, or by one at the point of death, or by one who is looking out with apprehension upon the eternal world. It is commonly, indeed (compare Psalms... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 6:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 6:2

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