Psalms Chapter 6
Showing all 10 verses for Psalms Chapter 6.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. "
"God, don't correct me in anger, don't punish me in your burning displeasure."
If you're suffering and wondering whether it means you're being punished or hated, know that's not how I relate to you - even correction, when it comes, comes wrapped in love, not rage. You can bring me your fear about this directly, exactly as this verse does.
"Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. "
"Have mercy on me, God, because I'm weak; heal me, God, because my whole body aches."
Your body and your emotions aren't separate when you're struggling - it's alright to bring both together honestly, exactly as they are, without needing to prove your pain is "serious enough" to deserve attention. Weakness itself is reason enough to ask for help.
"My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? "
"My whole being is in deep anguish - how long, God, will this go on?"
You're allowed to ask "how long" when suffering drags on - that question isn't a lack of faith, it's honesty about how hard waiting really is. I'd rather you ask me directly than quietly give up on both the question and the asking.
"Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake. "
"Come back, God, rescue me - save me, for the sake of your mercy."
When you feel like the good things in your life have gone distant, it's fine to ask plainly for their return - you don't need a resume of good deeds to justify the request. Ask on the basis of mercy, not merit; that's always enough.
"For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? "
"Because in death there's no remembering you; who can thank you from the grave?"
Prayer doesn't have to be perfectly composed or theologically tidy - you can argue, bargain, and reason with me exactly as you are, even imperfectly. I welcome the honest, unpolished version of your pleading over a performance of pious calm.
"I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. "
"I'm exhausted from groaning; every night I soak my bed, I drench my sheets with tears."
You don't need to hide how much you've cried, or feel embarrassed by how exhausting grief can be - this verse gives you full permission to name it exactly as overwhelming as it feels. Crying this hard isn't weakness; it's honest proof of how much you're carrying.
"Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. "
"My eyes are worn out from grief; they've grown weary because of everyone against me."
Long-term stress and grief really do wear your body down, and that's not something to push through and ignore - it's worth naming and tending to. Let yourself acknowledge the physical cost of what you're carrying, rather than pretending it doesn't touch you.
"Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. "
"Get away from me, all you who do wrong - because God has heard the sound of my crying."
Sometimes just being honestly heard - even before anything else changes - is enough to shift your whole posture from despair towards confidence. Notice that turning point in yourself; it's real, and it's often the first sign that things are moving, even if you can't yet see how.
"The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. "
"God has heard my plea; God will accept my prayer."
Confidence in being heard doesn't always wait for proof that your situation has changed - sometimes trust arrives first, and circumstances catch up later. Let yourself believe you've been heard even in the space before anything visibly shifts.
"Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly. "
"May all my enemies be ashamed and deeply troubled; may they turn back in sudden shame."
When people cause you real harm, it's honest to want them stopped and exposed - bring that desire to me plainly, as this verse does, rather than either suppressing it or acting on it yourself. Let me hold the justice you're owed; you don't have to carry it alone.