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A Prayer for Mercy in Troubled Times

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Upon the sheminith. A psalm of David.

Lord, don’t correct me when you are angry;
    don’t punish me when you are very angry.
Lord, have mercy on me because I am weak.
    Heal me, Lord, because my bones ache.
I am very upset.
    Lord, how long will it be?

Lord, return and save me;
    save me because of your kindness.
Dead people don’t remember you;
    those in the grave don’t praise you.

I am tired of crying to you.
    Every night my bed is wet with tears;
    my bed is soaked from my crying.
My eyes are weak from so much crying;
    they are weak from crying about my enemies.

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