Psalm 6:5

5 For in death no man remembers thee: and who will give thee thanks in Hades?

Psalm 6:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 6:5

For in death [there is] no remembrance of thee
Of the goodness, truth, power, and faithfulness of God; no notice can be taken nor mention, made either of the perfections or works of God, whether of nature or of grace, by a dead man to others; he is wholly useless to men on earth with respect to these things;

in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
for mercies temporal or spiritual; the dead cannot praise the Lord among men, only the living; see ( Psalms 30:9 ) ( 115:17 ) ( Isaiah 38:18 Isaiah 38:19 ) ; wherefore the psalmist desires that he might live and praise the Lord: this argument is taken from the glory of God, which end cannot be answered among men by death, as by life. It does not follow from hence that the soul either dies or sleeps with the body, and is inactive until the resurrection morn, neither of which are true; or that the souls of departed saints are unemployed in heaven; they are always before the throne, and serve the Lord day and night; they remember, with the utmost gratitude and thankfulness, all the goodness and grace of God unto them, and praise him for all his wondrous works: but the sense is, that when a saint is dead, he can no more serve and glorify God on earth among men.

Psalm 6:5 In-Context

3 My soul also is grievously vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long?

4 Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: save me for thy mercy’s sake.

5 For in death no man remembers thee: and who will give thee thanks in Hades?

6 I am wearied with my groaning; I shall wash my bed every night; I shall water my couch with tears.

7 Mine eye is troubled because of my wrath; I am worn out because of all my enemies.