Psalm 6

A Prayer for Mercy in Troubled Times

1 Lord, don’t correct me when you are angry; don’t punish me when you are very angry.

2 Lord, have mercy on me because I am weak. Heal me, Lord, because my bones ache.

3 I am very upset. Lord, how long will it be?

4 Lord, return and save me; save me because of your kindness.

5 Dead people don’t remember you; those in the grave don’t praise you.

6 I am tired of crying to you. Every night my bed is wet with tears; my bed is soaked from my crying.

7 My eyes are weak from so much crying; they are weak from crying about my enemies.

8 Get away from me, all you who do evil, because the Lord has heard my crying.

9 The Lord has heard my cry for help; the Lord will answer my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be ashamed and troubled. They will turn and suddenly leave in shame.

Psalm 6

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments, according to the sheminith style; a psalm of David.

1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger!
Do not discipline me in your raging fury!

2 Have mercy on me,Lord, for I am frail!
Heal me, Lord, for my bones are shaking!

3 I am absolutely terrified,
and you, Lord – how long will this continue?

4 Relent, Lord, rescue me!
Deliver me because of your faithfulness!

5 For no one remembers you in the realm of death,
In Sheol who gives you thanks?

6 I am exhausted as I groan;
all night long I drench my bed in tears;
my tears saturate the cushion beneath me.

7 My eyes grow dim from suffering;
they grow weak because of all my enemies.

8 Turn back from me, all you who behave wickedly,
for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping!

9 The Lord has heard my appeal for mercy;
the Lord has accepted my prayer.

10 May all my enemies be humiliated and absolutely terrified!
May they turn back and be suddenly humiliated!