Psalm 6, an individual lament, is one of the seven "penitential psalms" traditionally read on Ash Wednesday. In the midst of suffering, the psalmist (traditionally David) asks God to have mercy on him in accordance with his covenantal promises (vv 2-4). He looks forward to continuing to publicly praise God, which he would not be able to do from the grave.
There is a shift in tone after verse 7, where the psalmist goes from describing his weariness in suffering to rebuking his enemies. He has received assurance of his deliverance (vv 8-9) and warns his enemies to prepare for the fact that God will vindicate him. This kind of transition from lament to victory is seen in a number of Psalms (see Ps 22, 28, 31, e.g.).
Some New Testament passages use the language of Psalm 6. In John 12:27, Jesus says, "Now is my soul troubled," as in Ps 6:3. The language of Ps 6:8 ("Depart from me, all you workers of evil") appears in Matt 7:23 and Luke 13:27. In suffering, the psalmist is a forerunner of Jesus, who has achieved victory over sin and death and will cast out the enemies of the kingdom. He comes to our aid in times of suffering.
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