Psalm 6:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"My eye is withered with sorrow." Do you observe a soul in distress? Following his expression of repentance, the prophet revisits themes of suffering, the turmoil of the spirit, and the dread arising from witnessing God's anger. Here, the term 'eye' refers to the spiritual vision, the discerning and rational aspect of the soul, which often becomes troubled by the awareness of its sins. As he continually contemplated his transgressions and the fierce displeasure of God, he lived his life in a state of fear, not in the indifference that marks the lives of many, but in brokenness and reverence. Such turmoil brings about peace; such fear serves as a guarantee of safety.

How should I navigate life among my adversaries? When the psalmist refers to “all my enemies,” he emphasizes individuals who have chosen to turn away from God. Even when such individuals might share a roof, partake in meals together, or coexist within the same community without apparent conflict, their underlying ambitions set them apart from those who have embraced God, thereby rendering them adversaries. When some cling to worldly desires and others yearn for liberation from worldly bonds, it becomes evident that the former oppose the latter. Should they succeed, they will attempt to pull the latter down into spiritual demise. However, within this message lies a profound gift that aids us in remaining steadfast to divine directives.

In response to a possible inquiry about the need for divine mercy in dealing with sin, the prophet provides a thoughtful answer: “I will cleanse my sorrows of sin,” and “I will purify my bed of sin” with tears (7). The reason for this, the prophet explains, is that “my eye is consumed with grief” (8), leading to a state of being aged and withered, as the distress caused by adversaries has brought decay to my spirit. If such irritation can lead to profound fear in one who has succumbed to it, then it is far more understandable that those who have witnessed not only the struggles fueled by irritation but also those prompted by desires, greed, pride, ambition, envy, and a host of other negative human inclinations might fall into despair regarding their hope for salvation. Therefore, the prophet boldly declares to all opponents, “Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity” (9).

My thoughts are disturbed with anger. The "eye" symbolizes the intellect, as the mind serves as the eye of the spirit. I have committed to this in all my moments. This reflects the period of suffering, which was a time of righteousness for him, due to its duration.

My gaze is disturbed with fury. The very vision of my heart is overshadowed by Your displeasure, O Lord. In this context, I refer to the eye as the heart, which is why I spoke of a single sea. My commitments endure through all my days. The Prophet laments, the taunts of my adversaries weigh heavily upon me. They exhaust me, weaken my spirit, and hasten my decline.

My vision is clouded by indignation. Indeed, the prophet's inner sight was shrouded in darkness. Aware of Your just anger towards sinners on the day of judgment, I find myself in deep distress, so he expresses. The prophet aptly refers to the mind as the eye, for it truly guides a person along all the avenues of life. Our intellect perceives and discerns. Yet, some scholars propose that the prophet's physical sight was filled with wrath when he became furious with his adversaries, as it is often the case with those who are deeply provoked by another. "I have become weathered among all my foes." Like a tattered garment left behind, my enemies scorn me; they once held me in fear, but that changed when I transgressed. Alternatively, "I grew old," signifying my decline in strength compared to my youth, for with age, individuals often experience a diminution of power.

The inner being and perception The way anger in the heart obscures vision is articulated by the psalmist: My eye is clouded with wrath.

The dimming of the vision arises from strife, as the clarity of reason becomes obscured when one departs from noble intentions. Thus, the psalmist expresses: "My eye has become clouded with anger."

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The complexity of wrath encompasses many actions deemed permissible and commendable by divine law; yet, in the process, we may distort our very selves. Often, in our quest for righteousness through anger, we disrupt the peace of our spirits. While our actions might align with righteousness, the resulting turmoil in the soul cannot be seen as acceptable.

My vision is clouded with sorrow, and I have committed myself to all my transgressions. In other words, I have become tainted, hardened, and worn down by my sins. This is what it means to say, ‘I have committed to all my transgressions.’ Nevertheless, after enduring a prolonged period of sinful affliction and spending his life in wrongdoing, the prophet retained his hope and did not succumb to despair regarding God’s grace. He refrained from yielding to triviality, finding salvation through humility, cleansing through tears, and justification through confession. We too can engage in these acts even as we grow older, as our hair turns grey: weeping, lamenting, confessing our sins, and praying. Consider, then, the impact of these actions on our lives.

These phrases speak to the visible outcome of the intense shedding of tears, indicating that the eyes have been affected by grief. The Hebrew text uses the term "darkened" rather than "wrinkled," conveying the idea that my eye, burdened by the weeping and the tears stemming from righteous anger at the horribleness of sin or from the contemplation of Your fierce wrath, has been altered and obscured. The subsequent Hebrew word, vowshah, also pertains to the eye and is presented in the third person: vowshah. However, as translators, including Jerome, rendered the seventy in the first person, we adopt their interpretation. Thus, the verse can be understood to mean: my eye will be wrinkled or darkened out of rage and indignation.

Most Christian theologians and rabbis contend that David composed this Psalm to be performed in the eighth musical mode, often interpreted as an octave or bass tone, as noted in 1 Chronicles 15:21. The Early Church Fathers connect this title to resurrection—a reflection of new life in Christ accessible through repentance—and some relate it to the ultimate state of existence following the seventh era of world history. This psalm is particularly poignant, emerging from David's own trials, which were intensified by his transgression with Bathsheba. However, one might question how the petition for liberation from external adversaries (vv. 9-11) fits into this context.

The soul's perception constantly reflects upon its hidden transgressions, causing it to tremble in the face of God's wrath, anxious about the consequences of eternal damnation. Each sin, which afflicts a person from their youth to their elder years, is a burden (Theodoret, Athanasius, Chrysostom). Memories of Sodom and Gomorrah, the great Flood of Noah, mortality, the impending Last Judgment, and the agonies of hell instill a deep fear.