Salmos 6
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 6
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS For a brief discussion of MT superscriptions, see Introduction to Psalms, IV. For "Sheminith" see Introduction VII.
Salmos 6:1-3
6:1 There are two IMPERFECTS used as JUSSIVES. rebuke – BDB 406, KB 410, Hiphil negated, cf. Ps. 38:1 chasten – BDB 415, KB 418, Piel negated This is a penitential psalm, as are Psalm 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143. The Jewish Study Bible (p. 1289) says that this Psalm of supplication has become the liturgical weekday morning prayer of Jewish people. ▣ "in Your anger. . .in Your wrath" The Psalm does not say why YHWH is angry (see SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCRIBED AS HUMAN, I. C.). It may reflect the OT theology of one causation. The psalmist had enemies, YHWH allowed/sent them (cf. Ps. 6:3). Life's circumstances are punishment for sin (cf. Ps. 41:4) life in a fallen world (cf. Ps. 147:3) ways to strengthen faith (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 5:8) However, one never knows which it is, so repent and have faith! SPECIAL TOPIC: ONE CAUSALITY SPECIAL TOPIC: SUFFERING 6:2-3 Notice how "dismayed" (BDB 96, KB 111, Niphal PERFECT) is related to both my bones (BDB 782), Ps. 6:2 my soul (lit. nephesh, BDB 659, cf. Ps. 6:4), Ps. 6:3 (see full note at Ps. 3:2 and Gen. 35:18) Both of these were ways of referring to a person's innermost life and thoughts. This writer is in great distress and does not know why (i.e., like Job)! SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH 6:2 As Ps. 6:1 asks YHWH for what not to do, Ps. 6:2 asks YHWH to (also note Ps. 6:4) be gracious to me — BDB 335, KB 334, Qal IMPERATIVE heal me — BDB 950, KB 1272, Qal IMPERATIVE The VERB "heal" does not necessarily relate to a physical illness (cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 1166, c, cf. Isa. 1:5-6), but to the attack of adversaries (cf. Ps. 6:7b, 10). However, verse 2 leaves open the possibility of an illness. If an illness, why are adversaries mentioned? Some would say the enemies made fun of the psalmist (cf. Psalm 102:8) in his illness. The ancient Israelites believed sin and sickness were related. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEALING 6:3 "how long" This is the cry of the human person made in God's image but trapped in a fallen mind, body, and world (cf. Ps. 13:1; 74:10; 90:13)! As believers we must trust in God, not circumstances, but still we cry out—why? When will it be over? SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND
Salmos 6:4-5
6:4 As Ps. 6:2 asks YHWH to act on the psalmist's behalf (i.e., "be gracious. . .heal"), so too, Ps. 6:4. return – BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal IMPERATIVE rescue – BDB 322, KB 321, Piel IMPERATIVE save – BDB 446, KB 448, Hiphil IMPERATIVE Notice the reason given for the requests is not the worth or merit of the psalmist but the unchanging, merciful character of the covenant creator/redeemer Deity! One wonders what "return" in this context means. Did the psalmist think YHWH had departed or hid Himself? SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT) ▣ "lovingkindness" This is the wonderful covenant NOUN! SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS 6:5 Psalm 6:5 gives the OT view of the afterlife. Sheol was a place of consciousness but no joy or praise. The whole issue of conscious existence beyond physical death is developed through Scripture (i.e., Progressive Revelation). There are only hints in the OT (cf. Job 14:14-15; 19:25-27; Ps. 16:10; 49:15; 86:13; Isa. 25:8; 26:19; Ezek. 37:12-13; Dan. 12:1-2; Hos. 13:14). The full truth is revealed in 1 Corinthians 15! The Hebrew Sheol (BDB 982) refers to the realm of the dead. It is characterized by a dark, gloomy place, Job 10:21-22; Ps. 143:3 a place of no return, Job 10:21; 16:22 a place of no praise to God, Ps. 6:5; 30:9; 8:10-12; 115:17 (silence, Ps. 94:17) a place separated from God, Ps. 88:5; 39:13, yet God is there, Ps. 139:8; Prov. 15:11! SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD?, I. B. Notice the author specifically mentions that in his understanding of Sheol, there is no remembrance (BDB 271) praise (BDB 392, KB 389, Hiphil IMPERFECT, cf. Ps. 30:9; 88:10-12; Isa. 38:18) The Tyndale OT Commentary Series (vol. 15, p. 78) lists the imagery used in the OT for Sheol. vast cavern – Ezek. 32:18-32 stronghold – Ps. 9:13; 107:18; Matt. 16:18 dark wasteland – Job 10:22 a huge beast with a large mouth – Isa. 5:14; Jonah 2:2; Hab. 2:5 Thank God for a New Testament!
Salmos 6:6-7
6:6-7 The psalmist describes his physical and emotional trauma caused by his "adversaries" (BDB 865, KB 1058, Qal PARTICIPLE, "those who show hostility"). weary with sighing (BDB 58) bed wet with tears (hyperbole)
Salmos 6:8-10
6:8-10 The psalmist comes to a place of mental relief as he trusted in YHWH, who has heard his prayer (cf. Ps. 28:6). This is expressed in three parallel lines (i.e., Ps. 6:8b, 9a, 9b). Because of YHWH's acceptance of the prayer the adversaries must depart, Ps. 6:8a (cf. Ps. 119:115; 139:19) will be ashamed, Ps. 6:10 (cf. Ps. 71:13,24; see SPECIAL TOPIC: SHAME) will be greatly dismayed, Ps. 6:10 (same VERB used of the psalmist in Ps. 6:2b and 3a) will turn back, Ps. 6:10 (same VERB used of YHWH in Ps. 6:4, but here may be of going into Sheol, cf. Job 34:15; Ps. 9:18; Eccl. 3:20; 5:15; 12:7) will be suddenly ashamed (same VERB as Ps. 6:10a, cf. Ps. 73:19) Numbers 2-5 are all IMPERFECTS used in a JUSSIVE sense. The psalmist seeks the presence of YHWH but the absence of his foes! What they tried to do to him is now done to them! This literary structure (i.e., reversal) is typical of the OT. What humans expect is often opposite of what YHWH brings about (i.e., Isa. 55:8-11).