Psalm 6:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long?

NIV: My soul is in deep anguish. How long, LORD, how long?

NASB: And my soul is greatly horrified; But You, Lord—how long?

CSB: my whole being is shaken with terror. And you, Lord--how long?

NLT: I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until you restore me?

KJV: My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?

NKJV: My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O Lord—how long?

Not only was David languishing physically, but he was also languishing spiritually. The Hebrew word translated "troubled" here is translated as "dismayed" in Genesis 45:3, where it describes the trouble felt by Joseph's conscience-stricken brothers when Joseph revealed himself to them in Egypt. It is also used in Judges 20:41 as the word "dismayed": "Then the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed, for they saw that disaster was close upon them." The Septuagint uses the word tarasso for troubled, which is also used in John 12:27 where Jesus says, "Now is my soul troubled." At the time, Jesus was anticipating His crucifixion, to which He would voluntarily submit.

We're not sure why David is asking for forgiveness or a reprieve. Nor do we know exactly what he is experiencing. All we know is that David wonders how long he would suffer before being rescued. Of course, the Lord's timing is always right. He removes His chastening when it has taught His children a valuable lesson and caused them to turn back to Him (Hebrews 12:7–11).

Psalm 6:1–3 begins with a mournful expression of David's grief. He asks the Lord to withdraw His hand of discipline from him, and he describes the misery he is experiencing under that discipline. David is distressed physically and spiritually. His bones ache and his soul is greatly troubled.

David begins Psalm 6 by asking the Lord to withhold discipline from him. He describes the anguish he is experiencing. His bones are in pain and his soul is troubled. It's not clear whether David is literally experiencing some illness, sorrow for his sin, danger from enemies, or some combination of all these concerns. Whatever the situation, David's health is failing and so is his confidence. And yet, he is ultimately assured that God will intervene. The psalm begins in repentance and ends in confidence.

This psalm is ascribed to David. No exact incident in David's life is identified in this passage. There seems to be a connection to a disease or other health issue. He may have written it during his old age, when his son Absalom rebelled against him (2 Samuel 15:12–14). Another possible inspiration is David's sorrow over his sin with Bathsheba (Psalm 51; 2 Samuel 12:9). Psalm 6 is one of seven penitential psalms: songs expressing confession and repentance. The other six are Psalms 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 5/4/2024 10:26:22 AM