Psalm 6:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Many times, despite the patient’s cooperation with the diagnosis, treatment, and medicine, the healing does not succeed. When nature falters, human skill can falter as well, and the effectiveness of remedies can vanish for reasons beyond our understanding. However, with God, the scenario is different. If one works in harmony with the Divine Physician, every wound will surely be mended. Here, it is not merely human skill that might falter, but divine power that triumphs over both the natural and spiritual ailments, as well as any vice or evil. Thus, the prophet, in seeking God's healing, cries out, “heal me, O Lord, for my bones tremble.” Some interpret his words as a lamentation over the turmoil wrought by sin; for just as turbulent winds disturb the sea, causing the depths to churn and jeopardizing sailors, so too does our soul become disquieted, our body shaken, and chaos overwhelms us. This disorder escalates during moments of wicked desires, anger, or misfortune. Such turmoil stirs both our soul and our bones, distorting our vision and leading our eyes to wander in confusion. Much like horses turned wild when their driver is distracted, we too find that when our minds are unsettled, chaos ensues, resulting in all things becoming disordered. Importantly, we must recognize that this confusion within the soul is not born of unexpected storms but stems from our own negligence. Indeed, we are the architects of our internal struggles. Just as a fire cannot ignite in a furnace unless fuel is added, so too will sin not erupt unless we seek out temptations; it will not blaze forth unless we expose ourselves to base desires or sinful spectacles. If we refrain from indulging the flesh or drowning our senses in excess, the flames will not flare, nor will chaos ensue, preventing the purity of our souls from being compromised. However, avoiding sin requires more than mere abstention; it necessitates a commitment to prayer, communion with the saints, appropriate fasting, continuous self-discipline, and above all, a reverent fear of God, wisdom in the face of impending judgment, awareness of consequences for sin, and hope in the blessings promised by Him. By embracing these practices, we may suppress the raging desires and calm the turbulent waters of our souls. “But you, O Lord, how long? Turn, O Lord, deliver my soul; save me for Thy mercy's sake.” The prophet repeatedly implores, using “Lord” as a plea for divine kindness and mercy. Indeed, our greatest hope lies in His boundless compassion, for He readily grants grace and kindness. The word “until” reveals a heart that isn't embittered or resentful but one that mourns and suffers under temptation’s weight.

“I see the enemy drawing near; he hastens to seize me and to shorten my days.” “And my soul is severely troubled.” I perceive the arduous journey from this life to the next, devoid of provisions for the voyage ahead. “And my soul is greatly troubled.” I see an adversary who threatens to ensnare me. “And my soul is exceedingly troubled.” I glimpse the accuser presenting the record of my transgressions, while the imprisoned gnash their teeth. “And my soul is in deep turmoil.” I observe numerous accusers surrounding me, without a single ally for defense. “And my soul is profoundly troubled.” I am filled with dread and uncertainty, trembling without knowing which way to turn. Should I plead for more time? Yet I fear that I may only accumulate further sins on top of the old. How will I face the Judge? I am engulfed in despair, acutely aware of my dire situation. The tempter relentlessly pursues me; the turmoil of my flesh continually confounds me; my adversaries remain steadfast in their onslaught; my wicked thoughts show no sign of quiet. “And you, O Lord, how long until You aid me?” Why is there silence? Why is there no response? Driven to the brink of despair, the prophet longs to voice something audacious and irreverent towards God, and thus he asks, “And You, O Lord, how long?” Indeed, do You not see, Lord, the depths of my despair? Do You not recognize the assaults against me, the might of my foes, the flames of my troubles, the barrage of unsettling thoughts, the fleeting nature of time, and my utter exhaustion? How long, O Lord, will You withhold compassion? How long will You fail to protect me? How long will You overlook my plight? How long have You remained patient? How long have You not delivered me? How long will You not show mercy? For while I acknowledge my utter unworthiness, I cling to the hope of Your forgiveness through Your mercy.

This soul does not yet pray with such perfection as to hear the reply, “While you are still speaking, I will answer you” (Isaiah 65:24). It needs also to understand that if those who seek conversion face such great struggles, a tremendous penalty awaits the unrepentant wicked, as it is written, “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” (1 Peter 4:18).

The Lord does not rush to help those who are beset by their own transgressions, as part of His divine wisdom. He declares, "In due time, I will graciously respond." Conversely, for those who are assailed by the schemes of the wicked one, the Lord swiftly brings His all-powerful aid. The Scriptures affirm, "I say to you again, 'Behold, I am He.'"

How long will You postpone Your aid? How long will You withhold punishment from me, how long will You not grant me forgiveness and deliverance? Even though I deserve total rejection, may Your mercy grant me remission of my sins. For Your disdain leads us to the brink of despair. Contemplating this, the prophet cries out to God in hopelessness but checks himself for fear of being seen as opposing God, and ultimately, with even greater resolve in his plea, he turns his thoughts to God and proclaims, Psalms 6:5. Turn, O Lord, rescue my soul, save me for the sake of Your lovingkindness.

He refers to sins as calamities, which is just; genuine sins are indeed disasters, and the more grievous they are, the deeper the turmoil they inflict. The less we perceive this, the more grievous our condition becomes. Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are shattered. He reiterates this sentiment, expressing that when God shows mercy, He alleviates suffering, hence healing and restoration are intertwined: to plead for mercy is to seek healing. Similarly, the expression of my weakness correlates with the crumbling of my bones, which symbolize strength; bones deteriorate when power wanes, reflecting the external manifestation of a devastating illness that permeates deeply. The phrase, “And my soul shall be greatly troubled,” reveals the intensity of the internal affliction the soul experiences in the face of God's judgment for its sins. “And you, Lord, how long?” Though this phrase may be incomplete, it carries profound weight, as it emerges from a soul in deep distress, struggling to articulate a complete thought.

The psalmist’s condition is better understood as follows: David endured long persecution at the hands of Saul and his followers (v. 9), which caused him significant anguish. He feels no imminent chance of overcoming his foes and begins to suffer under the fear that God has turned against him, believing that his afflictions stem from divine wrath rather than paternal love. This fear intensifies his pain, causing both his heart and body to wither (vv. 3-4). In his distress, he implores God not to cast him aside (that he may not be chastised in wrath) or take his life, but to show mercy toward him, a man in need (vv. 3-4). He emphasizes that if the psalmist were to die, God would lose a devoted worshiper, as in sheol (the grave), where one is forgotten (Ps. 87:13, 113:17; Is. 38:18), there is no remembrance or praise for Him.

Once again, (vv. 7-8) the psalmist expresses his anguish; feeling abandoned by God, he weeps throughout the night. His eyes have weakened from sorrow (from rage—θύμω), and he shows signs of aging due to the constant oppression from his enemies. Addressing these wicked individuals (v. 9), he finds solace in his prayer, firmly believing that the Lord hears him; they will turn back in disgrace because God has listened to the psalmist (he perceives the future, through faith, as already assured): let it be fulfilled! (v. 11).