Single lesson
Psalm 6: Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger
Psalms 6:1–10
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.
Before you teach
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.
Describe the central teaching of Psalm 6: Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger, using two details from the reading. Psalm 6 shows that a person in deep distress can speak honestly to Yahweh and find confidence that he hears prayer.
Welcome: Psalm 6: Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger
4 minIntroduce “Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger” and locate Psalms 6:1–10. Psalm 6 shows that a person in deep distress can speak honestly to Yahweh and find confidence that he hears prayer. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Psalms 6:1, Psalms 6:6, Psalms 6:10
Read and explain the passage
8 minThe 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.
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.
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.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Psalms 6:1, Psalms 6:2, Psalms 6:3, Psalms 6:6, Psalms 6:7, Psalms 6:8, Psalms 6:9, Psalms 6:10
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What words show that the speaker’s suffering affects both body and inner life?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Psalm 6 shows that a person in deep distress can speak honestly to Yahweh and find confidence that he hears prayer. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Psalms 6:2, Psalms 6:3, Psalms 6:4, Psalms 6:5, Psalms 6:8, Psalms 6:9
Make and respond: Words and images response sheet
9 minWork on “Psalm 6: Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger: Words and images response sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Psalms 6:1, Psalms 6:6, Psalms 6:10
Closing: return to Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger
3 minRevisit Psalms 6:1–10. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Psalms 6:1, Psalms 6:6, Psalms 6:10
Questions to explore
What 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.
Psalms 6:2, Psalms 6:3
What reasons are given for asking Yahweh to save?
Notice the appeal to Yahweh’s loving kindness and the words about death and Sheol.
Psalms 6:4, Psalms 6:5
Where does the psalm shift from sorrow to confidence?
Watch for the repeated statements that Yahweh has heard the weeping and accepts the prayer.
Psalms 6:8, Psalms 6:9
Make, think or respond
Psalm 6: Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger: Words and images response sheet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or crayons
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “A repeated word or image”, “Its verse reference”, “What it expresses”.
- Read Psalms 6:1–10. Use “Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Talk through your notes with an adult. Add a word, drawing or short quotation that helps you remember each part.
- Choose one image and add a short written response or a simple drawing. Explain how it connects with the passage.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Psalm 6: Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, read the selected verses aloud, prepare the three panels and let them respond with drawings or a few words. Use Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Psalms 6:1–10. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 6
1 Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your anger, neither discipline me in your wrath.
2 Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am faint. Yahweh, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
3 My soul is also in great anguish. But you, Yahweh—how long?
4 Return, Yahweh. Deliver my soul, and save me for your loving kindness’ sake.
5 For in death there is no memory of you. In Sheol, who shall give you thanks?
6 I am weary with my groaning. Every night I flood my bed. I drench my couch with my tears.
7 My eye wastes away because of grief. It grows old because of all my adversaries.
8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for Yahweh has heard the voice of my weeping.
9 Yahweh has heard my supplication. Yahweh accepts my prayer.
10 May all my enemies be ashamed and dismayed. They shall turn back, they shall be disgraced suddenly.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.