Psalm 6

L.M.

1O Lord, in anger don’t rebuke;
In wrath, don’t chide or turn from me.
2Have mercy, Lord, for I am faint;
My bones are in great agony.

3Come heal me, for my anguished soul
cries out, “How long, O Lord, how long?”
4Deliver me, and save me, Lord—
Your steadfast love remains my song.

5No one can praise You from the grave;
Nor mention You when they are dead.
6I groan all day, all night I weep;
My tears flow free and flood my bed.

7My eyes grow weak with sorrow and
they fail because of all my foes.
8Depart from me, you evil ones!
The Lord has heard my cries and woes.

9The Lord in mercy heard my cry;
Receives my prayer before His face.
10My enemies will be dismayed
and turn back, shamed and in disgrace.

Alternate setting*
S.M.

1Lord, don’t rebuke in wrath, or turn Your face from me.
2Have mercy, Lord, for I am faint, my bones in agony.

3O Lord, my anguished soul, cries out, “How long; how long?”
4Deliver me, and save me, Lord—Your love remains my song.

5None from the grave praise You; remember You when dead.
6I groan all day, all night I weep, my tears do flood my bed.

7My eyes grow weak with grief; they fail due to my foes.
8Depart from me, you evil ones! The Lord has heard my woes.

9The Lord has heard my cry; accepts my prayer with grace.
10My enemies will be dismayed, and turned back in disgrace.

*An alternate setting of this psalm in a different meter offers the opportunity to try a new tune in a minor key. Southwell is a poignant tune for this psalm, and is well worth learning.