Psalms 6 Footnotes

Ps 6 Psalms in which the speaker deals with his sin are often called penitential psalms. (The seven traditional “Penitential Psalms” are 6; 32; 38; 51; 69; 102; 130.) Here David pleaded with God to bring an end to his suffering at the hands of enemies, a suffering that was the Lord’s chastening for his sin.

6:5 Psalms of petition include a section presenting the reasons why God should answer the worshiper’s prayer. These appeals are not crass bargaining; they testify to the believer’s covenant faith. If David died, he would not be able to praise God for delivering him from death; if God wanted the king’s worship—his first obligation under the covenant—God would have to save him.