Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 6

1. O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger , neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure .

(i. e.) Do not chasten or correct me, as the next Clause explains it, and as this word is frequently used, as Iob 22. 4. Psal. 50. 21. Isa. 37. 4. Revel. 3. 19.

With rigour or severity, as my Sins deserve, but with gentleness and moderation, Ier. 10. 24. and 46. 28. or so as it may not be the effect of thy strict Justice or Anger, but of thy Mercy and Faithfulness.

The same thing repeated after the manner.

Marginal references: Psal. 38.

2. Have mercy upon me , O LORD, for I am weak : O LORD, heal me for my bones are vexed .

I plead not my merit, but thy free Mercy.

Or, I languish, my Body pines away and my Spirit fails through my excessive pains or troubles.

(i. e.) The distempers of my Soul and Body, of both which this word is used, Psal. 41. 4. and 107. 18, 20.

My torment is so deep and so general, that it reacheth, and is very grievous even to my Bones, tho they are inward, and might seem to be out of the reach of it, and also strong and senseless, and therefore can best bear it. See the like expressions, Iob 4. 14. and 33. 19. Psal. 38. 3. and 51. 8.

3. My soul is also sore vexed : but thou, O LORD, how long ?

Partly by sympathy with my Body; and partly with the burthen of my Sins, and the sence of thine Anger, and my own danger and misery.

Wiltst thou suffer me to ly and languish in this condition? It is a Figure called Aposiopesis, very agreeable to men in pain or anguish, who use to cut their words short.

4. Return , O LORD, deliver my soul : oh, save me for thy mercies sake.

Unto me, from whom thou hast withdrawn thy self, and thy smiling Countenance, and thy helping Hand.

(i. e.) Save me, or my life, as the Soul oft signifies, as Gen. 9. 5. and 12. 5. Iob 36. 14. Psal. 33. 19. David and other good men in those times were much afraid of death, partly because the manifestations of Gods Grace to his people were then more dark and doubtful: and partly because thereby they were deprived of all opportunities of advancing God's Glory and Kingdom in the World. Comp. Isa. 38. 1, 2, 3.

5. For in death there is no remembrance of thee : in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

Amongst the dead: or in the grave, as it follows.

To wit, by me David, consisting both of Soul and Body; and no such remembrance, to wit, in way of thankfulness and praise, as the next Clause of the Verse limits and explains it; which he might fear would be true, not only because he should not have occasion to praise God for this deliverance, but also because he was in grievous agonies of Conscience, and under terrors of God's wrath, and his eternal damnation; which being oft incident to the Saints of God under the new Testament, it is not strange if it were so also under the old Testament. Besides he speaks of the remembrance or celebration of God's Name and Grace in the Land of the Living, to the enlargement and edification of God's Church, and the propagation of true Religion among men; which is not done in the other life, and was justly prized at so high a rate by David and other holy men, to whom therefore it must needs be a great grief to be for ever deprived of such Opportunities. For otherwise David very well knew, and firmly believed that Souls departed were not extinct, but did go to God, Eccles. 12. 7. and there remember and adore and enjoy God, tho quite in another way than that of which he here speaks.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 30. 9. [illegible: 1 word]. 11. & 11. 17. & [illegible: 1 word]. 17.; [illegible: 1 word]. 33. 18. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word]

6. I am weary with my groaning, all the night make I my bed to swim ; I water my couch with my tears.

He mentions this time, by way of aggravation of his misery, because that season, which is to others by God's appointment a time of rest, was to him very sad and doleful, whether from his Disease, which then came upon him more strongly, as it is usual; or from the opportunity which the solitude and silence of the Night gave him to think of his own Sins, or his Enemies Perfidiousness and Malice, or God's Displeasure, or his future Estate.

To wit, with tears. See the like [illegible: 1+ letters]yperbole Ier. 9. 1. Lam. 3. 48, 49.

Or, my bedstead.

Marginal references: Or, every [illegible: 1 word].

7. Mine eye is consumed because of grief ; it waxeth old because of all mine Enemies.

Or, grown dim or dull, through plenty of salt tears which I shed: Or, through the decay of my Spirits.

(i. e.) My grief arising from mine Enemies, as the next Clause interprets it, and from the consideration of their multitude and rage, and falseness.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 17. 7. [illegible: 1 word]. 31. 9. & [illegible: 1 word] 10. [illegible: 1 word]. 5. 17.

8. Depart from me , all ye workers of Iniquity ; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping .

I advise you for your own sakes to cease from opposing or molesting me, or insulting over me, or approaching to me, with design of deceiving and betraying me: for all your labor will be lost.

All you wicked Enemies of mine.

(i. e.) He will hear, the past time being put for the future, as is usual in prophetical Passages, such as this was; David having received by the Spirit of God particular assurance that God would hear and deliver him.

(i. e.) Of my fervent Prayers joyned with my Tears.

Marginal references: Mat. 7. 23. & 25. 41. Luk. 13. 27. P[illegible: 1+ letters]l. [illegible: 1+ letters] 19. 115.; Psal. 31. 22.

9. The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

And therefore will hear, as it follows. He draws an Argument from his former Experience.

10. Let all mine Enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly .

Of their vain hopes and confidence of conquering and destroying me. Or, they shall be ashamed, because of their great and unexpected disappointment.

To wit, from their wicked ways, from their hostile and malicious practises against me, and let them come and submit to me, from whom they have revolted. Or, let them turn back, as it is expressed Psal. 56. 9. let them be put to flight. Or, let them be converted. (i. e.) Repent of their Sins and return to their Obedience to me. Although it seems more probable both from the foregoing and following words, that this turning or returning is rather penal than penitential. Or, they shall turn or return. Or this Verb may be taken adverbially and joyned to the following Verb, as it is frequently in other places, and both may be thus rendered, Let them, or They shall be again ashamed, clothed, as it were, with double shame.

Sooner than I could hope, or they did expect or believe.