Psalm 6

For the End; in hymns, concerning the eighth; a psalm by David.

O Lord, do not reprove me in Your anger,
Nor discipline me in Your wrath.
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled;
And my soul is greatly troubled;
But You, O Lord, how long?
Return, O Lord, and deliver my soul.
Save me because of Your mercy.
For there is not remembrance of You in death;
And in Hades who will give thanks to You?
I am weary with my groaning;
Every single night I will dampen my bed;
I will drench my couch with my
Tears.
My eye is troubled by anger;
I grow old among all my enemies.
Depart from me, all you workers of lawlessness;
For the Lord heard the voice of my weeping.
The Lord heard my supplication;
The Lord received my prayer.
Let all my enemies by ashamed and
Greatly troubled;
Let them turn back and be suddenly ashamed.

Commentary from the Orthodox Study Bible

Ps 6 teaches the Church the spirit of humility the faithful should have when they pray, “Lord, have mercy,” for this petition is repeated again and again in the services of worship. This spirit of humility is characterized by (1) a request for mercy, rather than a stern reproof and discipline because of our sins (v. 1); (2) a recognition of the weakness and raily of our mortal nature (vv. 3, 4); (3) a request for deliverance and salvation (vv. 5, 6); (4) a contrite spirit, characterized by tears and the need for help with respect to sinful passions (vv. 7,8); and (5) a firm stand against the fallen angels and the Lord’s needed help in this warfare (vv. 9-11).
Ps 6 is used in Great Compline, and v. 2 is a frequently repeated refrain in liturgical hymnography throughout the church year.

Comments

Yes, Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. Have mercy on us. I think of Psalm 130 and the song “From the Depths of Woe:”

From the depths of woe I raise to Thee
The voice of lamentation;
Lord, turn a gracious ear to me
And hear my supplication;
If Thou iniquities dost mark,
Our secret sins and misdeeds dark,
O who shall stand before Thee?(Who shall stand before Thee?)
O who shall stand before Thee?(Who shall stand before Thee?)