A Plea for Mercy
Study note
David asks God not to discipline him in anger. He is physically and emotionally broken and appeals to God's mercy.
1 Lord, please do not scold me while you are angry. Do not punish me while your fury is burning. O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
2 Show me kindness, Lord — I feel so weak. Bring healing to me, Lord — every part of my body hurts. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
3 Deep inside, I am shaken to the core. Lord, how much longer will this last? My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?
4 Come back to me, Lord, and pull me out of this. Save me because of the love you never let go of. Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.
5 After all, once someone dies, they cannot think about you anymore. Nobody in the grave is singing your praises. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
Tears and Triumph
Study note
David describes nights of intense weeping. But then the psalm shifts: David declares that God has heard his crying and accepted his prayer.
6 I am completely exhausted from crying. Night after night my bed is drenched — my pillow is soaked through with tears. I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
7 My eyes are puffy and worn out from all this pain. They have grown dim because of everyone who is against me. Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.
8 Leave me alone, every one of you who does evil, because the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my desperate plea. The Lord has accepted my prayer. The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
10 Every one of my enemies will end up embarrassed and deeply shaken. In an instant they will retreat in total disgrace. Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.