Read & explore together
Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger
Psalm 6 is a prayer-song that begins with pain and ends with confidence. The speaker asks Yahweh for mercy, describes deep anguish and tears, then says Yahweh has heard the prayer.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
This passage is given as poetry and song. The speaker talks directly to Yahweh, asking not to be rebuked in anger but to be shown mercy, healing and rescue. The psalm describes distress in body and soul, then turns to confidence that Yahweh has heard weeping and accepted the prayer.
Psalms 6:1–10Main takeaway
Psalm 6 shows that a person in deep distress can speak honestly to Yahweh and find confidence that he hears prayer.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A cry for mercyThe psalm opens by asking Yahweh not to rebuke or discipline in anger and wrath. Instead, the speaker asks for mercy because of weakness and the need for healing.
Explanation
The psalm opens by asking Yahweh not to rebuke or discipline in anger and wrath. Instead, the speaker asks for mercy because of weakness and the need for healing. The trouble is both outward and inward, with troubled bones and a soul in great anguish. The words “how long?” show pain that has continued.
02A plea for rescueThe speaker asks Yahweh to return, deliver the soul and save for the sake of Yahweh’s loving kindness.
Explanation
The speaker asks Yahweh to return, deliver the soul and save for the sake of Yahweh’s loving kindness. The next line adds that in death there is no memory of Yahweh, and in Sheol no one gives thanks. In this psalm, those words strengthen the urgent plea for God to act.
03Tears and griefThe suffering is described with strong poetic images. The speaker is weary with groaning and weeps through the night, with bed and couch drenched in tears.
Explanation
The suffering is described with strong poetic images. The speaker is weary with groaning and weeps through the night, with bed and couch drenched in tears. Grief has worn the eye away, and adversaries increase the pressure. The poem makes the depth of sorrow plain.
04Heard by YahwehThe tone changes in the final lines. The speaker tells workers of iniquity to depart because Yahweh has heard the voice of weeping.
Explanation
The tone changes in the final lines. The speaker tells workers of iniquity to depart because Yahweh has heard the voice of weeping. This is repeated clearly: Yahweh has heard the supplication and accepts the prayer. The psalm ends with enemies ashamed, turning back in sudden disgrace.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What words show that the speaker’s suffering affects both body and inner life?
Look for the phrases about being faint, having troubled bones, and a soul in great anguish.
02What reasons are given for asking Yahweh to save?
Notice the appeal to Yahweh’s loving kindness and the words about death and Sheol.
03Where does the psalm shift from sorrow to confidence?
Watch for the repeated statements that Yahweh has heard the weeping and accepts the prayer.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 6:1–10
1Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your anger, neither discipline me in your wrath.
2Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am faint. Yahweh, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
3My soul is also in great anguish. But you, Yahweh—how long?
4Return, Yahweh. Deliver my soul, and save me for your loving kindness’ sake.
5For in death there is no memory of you. In Sheol, who shall give you thanks?
6I am weary with my groaning. Every night I flood my bed. I drench my couch with my tears.
7My eye wastes away because of grief. It grows old because of all my adversaries.
8Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for Yahweh has heard the voice of my weeping.
9Yahweh has heard my supplication. Yahweh accepts my prayer.
10May all my enemies be ashamed and dismayed. They shall turn back, they shall be disgraced suddenly.