1O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
2Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
3My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long?
4Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.
5For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
6I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
7Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.
8Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.
9The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.
10Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.
📖 Chapter study
Summary
David, weak and distressed both physically and emotionally, weeps through the night pleading for God's mercy, but ends the psalm with the assurance that the LORD has already heard his plea.
Explanation
This is the first of the so-called 'penitential psalms' (along with Psalms 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143), texts traditionally used by those seeking repentance and healing in the midst of suffering. David describes real physical suffering — troubled bones, eyes worn out from weeping — tied to anguish of soul, showing how the Bible does not separate physical health from emotional and spiritual health. The turn in verse 8 ('the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping') is abrupt and teaches something important: the assurance of being heard can come even before the visible answer to the problem.
Fun facts
- This psalm is the first of the seven 'penitential psalms' of Christian tradition, historically used during seasons of fasting and repentance, such as Lent.
- The title mentions instruments 'of eight strings' (Sheminith), suggesting this psalm was sung with a specific musical accompaniment, possibly in a lower register.