Psalm 6 Introduction

Structure and Formatting

1. Plea (1–5)
2. Death (6–7)
3. Answer (8–10)

The psalm divides neatly in half between verses 5 and 6 with 34 words in each. The first half divides into two parts, verses 1–2 and verses 4–5, which parallel each other in structure and content.

About the Psalm

1. Purpose: to plead for mercy and healing
2. Content: Yahweh have mercy and heal me, because I am near death, and no one can praise you in death.
3. Message: Yahweh’s loyalty to David is stronger than sin and death (30:6)

Translation Issues in This Psalm

1. The first section (1–3) and the last section (8–10) are parallel. Not only are they the same length (3 verses, 6 lines), but they are also similar in content and sounds. Structurally, the first section and the last section stand in a symmetrical relationship to one another. The parallels help to define the structure of the psalm.
2. The effect of the repetition in the last section is to highlight the complete resolution and reversal of the situation. David’s prayer has been heard, his question of “How long?” has been answered (“in an instant!”), and the deep dismay that he experienced is now imparted to his enemies on whom Yahweh’s punishment rightfully falls.
3. The second section (6–7) stands out in a number of ways, including figurative language, line structure, use of rare words, alliteration, delay of information, word repetition, and use of similar-sounding words. The effect is to draw attention to this section of the poem, wherein David, on the brink of death, reaches to the heights of poetic/rhetorical technique in order to express the depths of his suffering in a last-ditch effort to persuade Yahweh to rescue him.
4. Yahweh’s name appears eight times throughout the psalm, but it is conspicuously absent from the second section (6–7), which follows the Psalmist’s statement that “in death, there is no remembrance of you” (5a).
5. In verses 6–7, it is as though David has descended into the world of the dead, the place where Yahweh is neither named nor praised. It is a place of darkness (night) and associated with watery chaos (tears/swim/melt). In the last section (8–10), David regains energy, confidence, and authority, and he proclaims Yahweh’s name three times, as though he has come back from the dead.
6. Almost every verse in this psalm displays parallelism. Verse 2 and the first line of verse 3 are a three-part parallel while the last line of verse 3 and the first line of verse 4 seem to be the only lines not in a parallelism construction. While all these phrases mean basically the same thing with the second emphasizing the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with different words, Hebrew poetry was based on this kind of repetition, and it would be good to show this to your readers by including both phrases in your translation rather than combining them. However, if it would be helpful to your readers, you could connect the phrases with a word other than and in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. (See: figs-parallelism)

See: writing-poetry

CCBYSA

Significant portions of the ULT, UST, and TNs for this psalm are derivative from “Psalms, Layer by Layer” (https://psalms.cdbr.org/w/Welcome), “Psalm 6” (https://psalms.cdbr.org/w/Psalm_6) by Cambridge Digital Bible Research, Katie Frost, Meaghan Smith, Nikki Mustin et al, used under CC BY

Note 1 topic: translate-unknown

לַ⁠מְנַצֵּ֣חַ

(Some words not found in UHB: to,choirmaster with,stringed_instruments on/upon the,sheminith song of,David )

The word translated as chief musician likely refers to the person in charge of music for worship. Some languages may have a term for a music leader. Alternate translation: [For the music director] or [For the leader of worship music]

Note 2 topic: translate-names

עַֽל־הַ⁠שְּׁמִינִ֗ית

on/upon (Some words not found in UHB: to,choirmaster with,stringed_instruments on/upon the,sheminith song of,David )

The exact meaning of the word translated as Sheminith is uncertain. It is related to the word for “eight.” It may refer to (1) the pitch of the music. Alternate translation: [perform an octave lower] or (2) a type of instrument. Alternate translation: [perform with an eight-stringed lyre] or (3) the tune of the song. Alternate translation: [perform to the tune “Sheminith”]