Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 6 · Book 1 · Commentary on psalm 6
PSAL. VI.
Davids complaint in his sicknesse, with prayer for release. 9 By faith he triumpheth over his enemies.
To the master of the musicke on Neginoth, upon the eight; a Psalme of David.
IEhovah, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chastise me in thy wrathfull heat. Be gracious to me, Iehovah, for I am weake; heale me, Iehovah, for my bones are troubled. And my soule is troubled vehemently: and thou Iehovah, how long? Returne Iehovah, release my soule: save me for thy mercies sake. For in the death is no memorie of thee: in hell who shall confesse to thee? I faint with my sighing, I make my bed to swim in every night, I water my bedstead with my teares. Mine eye is gnawne with indignation: it is waxen old, because of all my distressers. Away from me, all yee that worke painfull iniquitie, for Iehovah hath heard the voice of my weeping. Iehovah hath heard my supplication for grace, Iehovah hath accepted my prayer. All my enemies let be abasht and troubled vehemently; let them returne, be abasht in a moment.
Annotations.
VPonUpon the eight] or after the eight: meaning the eight tunc, which was grave, as that which we call the base. So David fetching home Gods Arke, appointed some Levites with harps upon the eighth, for the honour and service of God, 1 Chron. 15. 21. And so the Chaldee here translateth, To sing with playing upon the harpe of eight strings.
Vers. 2. wrathfull heat] or choler. This word noteth the inward affection, as the former doth the outward appearance. David prayeth not simply against correction, (for as many as God loveth, hee doth rebuke and chastise, Rev. 3. 19. but would have his nurture with moderation, lest it broke him in peeces; as Ieremy likewise prayeth, Ier. 10. 24. So after in Psal. 38. 2.
Vers. 3. heale me] recure me. Though this may have reference here to bodily sicknesse, Psal. 107. 18. 20. yet is it also applied to soule-sicknesse, and curing of it; as Psal. 41. 5. heale thou my soule, for I have sinned against thee.
Vers. 4. how long?] or till when? An imperfect speech, through trouble of mind, which may thus be supplied: how long wilt thou cease, or deferre to helpe, or, how long wilt thou afflict me? So Psal. 90. 13. The Chaldee supplieth the want thus, Let me have a refreshing.
Vers. 5. release] loosen, or deliver my soule or me; meaning from death, as is expressed, Psal. 116. 8.
Vers. 6. for in the death] This doctrine King Hezekiah explaineth thus; For hell shall not confesse thee, death shall not praise thee; they that goe downe the pit shall not hope for thy truth: the living the living, he shall confesse thee as I doe this day: the father to the children shall make knowne thy truth, Isa. 38. 18, 19. So after in Psal. 115. 17, 18. …ell] or the grave, the place or state of the dead. See the note on Psal. 16. 10. confesse] or, give thankes, celebrate with praise & commendation. This same word is also used for confessing of sins, Psal. 32. 5.
Vers. 7. I faint] or am over awed with my sighing; the like speech Baruch useth, Ier. 45. 3. The originall word Iagaghn, signifieth awing, toile, turmoile and sore labour of body or mind, and consequently fainting through wearinesse, and is opposed to rest or quietnesse, Lam. 5. 5. every night] or, the whole night. The Chaldee expoundeth it, I speak in my sorrow all the night (or every night) upon my bed. I water] that is, bathe, or dissolve into water; or I melt my bedstead. These are excessive figurative speeches, to expresse the greatnesse of his sorrow. In the Hebrew they are also in the future time, I shall melt, I shall make swim, that is, I usually melt & bathe, noting the continuance of his affliction.
Vers. 8. mine eye] This may be taken for the whole face or visage: as in Num. 11. 7. the eye is used for the colour or appearance. gnawne] in Greek, troubled. The Hebrew, Ghnashash, is to gnaw and fret, and so to make deformed and ugly, and to consume. Hereof Ghnash is a moth-worme, Ps. 39. 12. that fretteth garments. A like speech Iob useth, mine eye is dimmed with indignation, Iob 17. 7. but gnawne here, is a word more vehement. So after in Psal. 31. 10, 11. with indignation] for griefe that I take, being provoked by the enemies.
Vers. 11. let be abasht] or, shall be abasht, The Hebrew Bosh signifieth to be abasht, wax pale & wan; as when the colour fadeth and withereth; and noteth both disappointment of ones expectation, Iob 6. 20. and confusion or destruction, Ier. 48. 1. 20. opposed unto joy, Esa. 65. 13. let them returne] or, recoile; a signe also of discomfiture and shame: so Psal. 56. 10. in a moment] or in a minute, that is, a short space, or suddenly.