Big Idea: Either an illness or the psalmist’s enemies, or both, have driven him to pray for God’s mercy, out of which a robust faith bursts forth.

Understanding the Text

Generally Psalm 6 is considered an individual lament, and it is the first of the penitential psalms of the ancient Christian church (6; 32; 38; 51; 102; 130; 143). While the element of penitence seems elusive, this psalm certainly is a prayer for divine mercy one place removed from confession of sin. The suppliant laments either (1) the condition that was caused by sin, or (2) illness that was commonly thought to be the result of sin, or (my preference) (3) the innocent suffering caused by the opposition of his enemies (6:7, 10).

This psalm follows three psalms (3–5) that have all the earmarks of Davidic psalms and are …