Psalm 6:8

8 Depart from me, all ye that work iniquity; for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.

Psalm 6:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 6:8

Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity
The psalmist being fully assured that God had heard his prayer, that he should recover from his disorder, or be delivered out of his calamities, whether corporeal or spiritual, has on a sudden a spring of joy, faith, and comfort; as sometimes there is a quick transition from comfortable to uncomfortable frames; see ( Psalms 30:7 ) ; so on the contrary, there is as quick a passage from uncomfortable to comfortable ones; see ( Lamentations 3:18 Lamentations 3:24 ) ; who may be called "workers of iniquity" (See Gill on Psalms 5:5); and these were either his open enemies, as Saul and his men, or Absalom and the conspirators with him, whom he bids to cease from following and pursuing after him; or his secret ones, hypocritical courtiers, that were about him, who were wishing and hoping for his death. It is the lot of God's people to be among the workers of iniquity; Lot was among the Sodomites, David was in Meshech and in the tents of Kedar, Isaiah was among men of unclean lips; Christ's lily is among thorns, and his sheep among goats; and though in some respects a civil conversation with wicked men cannot be avoided, for then good men must needs go out of the world; yet as little company should be kept with them as can be, and no fellowship should be had with them in sinful practices, nor in superstitious worship; and though there will not be a full and final separation from them in the present state of things, there will be hereafter, when these very words will be used by David's antitype, the Lord Jesus Christ; not only to profane sinners, but to carnal professors of religion, who have herded themselves with the people of God, ( Matthew 25:41 ) ( 7:23 ) ( Luke 13:25-28 ) . The reason why the psalmist took heart and courage, and ordered his wicked persecutors, or sycophants, to be gone from him, was his assurance of being heard by the Lord;

for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping;
referring to what is said ( Psalms 6:6 Psalms 6:7 ) ; he had not only lifted up his voice in prayer, but he had wept and made supplication, as Jacob did, ( Hosea 12:4 ) ; sometimes God brings his people to the throne of grace weeping, and with supplications leads them, ( Jeremiah 31:9 ) ; and then hears their cry and answers them.

Psalm 6:8 In-Context

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.

8 Depart from me, all ye that work iniquity; for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.

9 The Lord has hearkened to my petition; the Lord has accepted my prayer.

10 Let all mine enemies be put to shame and sore troubled: let them be turned back and grievously put to shame speedily.