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Prayer for Mercy

Psalm 6

For the music director, on the eight-string lyre, a psalm of David.
Adonai, do not rebuke me in Your anger!
Do not discipline me in Your wrath.
Be gracious to me, Adonai, for I am weak.
Heal me, Adonai—for my bones are shuddering with fear,
as is my soul—
and You, Adonai—how long?
Turn toward me, Adonai, deliver my soul!
Save me—because of Your mercy.
For there is no memory of You in death,
in Sheol who will praise You?
I am worn out with my groaning.
Every night I make my bed swim,
drenching my pillow with my tears.
My eyes are weakened with grief—
they age because of my enemies.

Away from me, all you evildoers!
For Adonai heard the sound of my weeping.
10 Adonai has heard my cry for mercy.
Adonai accepts my prayer:
11 “May all my enemies be ashamed, and stricken with terror.
May they turn back in sudden disgrace.”

Psalm 6[a]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith.[b] A psalm of David.

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger(A)
    or discipline me in your wrath.
Have mercy on me,(B) Lord, for I am faint;(C)
    heal me,(D) Lord, for my bones are in agony.(E)
My soul is in deep anguish.(F)
    How long,(G) Lord, how long?

Turn,(H) Lord, and deliver me;
    save me because of your unfailing love.(I)
Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
    Who praises you from the grave?(J)

I am worn out(K) from my groaning.(L)

All night long I flood my bed with weeping(M)
    and drench my couch with tears.(N)
My eyes grow weak(O) with sorrow;
    they fail because of all my foes.

Away from me,(P) all you who do evil,(Q)
    for the Lord has heard my weeping.
The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;(R)
    the Lord accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;(S)
    they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.(T)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 6:1 In Hebrew texts 6:1-10 is numbered 6:2-11.
  2. Psalm 6:1 Title: Probably a musical term