A Song of Mercy

I. THE SUBTITLE OF THE PSALM

A. The Author

1. A psalm of David; Note: One of at least 78 authored by or, at least, about David
2. Identified in another place as “the sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1).

B. The Recipient

1. To the chief Musician
a. The first addressed in this manner.
b. One of 55 psalms addressed as such
2. On Neginoth
a. One of six psalms addressed as such (Psalm 4, 6, 54, 55, 67, 76)
b. One other psalm is said to be “upon Neginah” (Psalm 61) which is said to be the singular form of Neginoth
c. Neginoth is said to mean stringed instruments
d. Each psalm indicates the presence of a great enemy that can only be overcome by a greater God. It somewhat reminds us of David’s harp playing and its accomplishment in the life of Saul (1 Samuel 16:14-18, 23).
e. Stringed instruments appear to have been implemented much in the praise of God (Psalm 33:2; Psalm 92:1-3; Psalm 144:9; Psalm 150:4; Isaiah 38:20; Habakkuk 3:19).
3. Upon Sheminith
a. Found only three times in scripture (Psalm 6 subtitle, Psalm 12 subtitle, and 1 Chronicles 15:21)
b. Said to mean “the eighth”; As is often the case, the opinions as the specifics of what was intended vary greatly.
1.) Some have suggested this was intended to suggest an octave. Perhaps a lower octave contrasting with Alamoth (1 Chronicles 15:20).
2.) Others have suggested this was a specific stringed instrument with eight strings.
4. The process exemplified (1 Chronicles 16:7-36)
a. David delivered the psalm into the hands of Asaph and his brethren (1 Chronicles 16:7).
b. The content of the psalm
1.) The first portion is from Psalm 105:1-15 (1 Chronicles 16:8-22)
2.) The second portion is from Psalm 96:1-12 (1 Chronicles 16:23-33)
3.) The third portion is from Psalm 106:1, 47, 48 (1 Chronicles 16:34-36)

C. David and the Musick

1. His institution of musick
a. Prior to reigning
1.) David was known for his skill with the harp (1 Samuel 16:14-18, 23).
2.) David had been the subject of singing and musick when he returned from the slaughter of Goliath (1 Samuel 18:6-11).
b. As king (beginning 2 Samuel 1)
1.) David implemented musick in his first attempt to bring up the ark of God (2 Samuel 6:1-5; 1 Chronicles 13:8).
2.) He did so again at the successful attempt to restore the ark (2 Samuel 6:12-19; 1 Chronicles 15:16-29; 1 Chronicles 16:4-6, 7-36, 37-42).
3.) He ensured that musick would be an ongoing part of the throne and worship of God (1 Chronicles 23:1-5).
2. His creation of instruments
a. David acknowledged that he “made” instruments to praise the LORD therewith (1 Chronicles 23:5). Note: ~985 B.C.
b. These instruments were used at the dedication of the temple (2 Chronicles 7:1-6). Note: ~972 B.C.
c. They were used, along with the words of David, during the reign of Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:20-36). Note: ~726 B.C.
d. They were used at the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem in the days of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 12:27-36). Note: ~444 B.C.
e. Later, men were rebuked for inventing to themselves instruments like David had previously done (Amos 6:5). It was likely more of an issue of improper motive than a problem of instruments in and of themselves.

D. The Purpose of the Subtitle

1. God gave David a song.
2. David delivered it to the chief musician with specific instructions for how the song was to be played.
3. It would appear that the psalmist was concerned that the musick would not match the words or might detract from the message intended.
4. David believed that musick was twofold in its ability to convey a message.
a. One message was delivered by the lyrics
b. Another message could be delivered by the tune
5. Therefore, the song was not only intended to be done with the proper message the first time, but was now able to maintain its original format as much as possible as it was used going forward.
6. All of this was set forth by one who was “cunning in playing” on an harp (1 Samuel 16:16, 18) – skilled musician

II. A PLEA FOR MERCY IN JUDGMENT (Psalm 6:1-2)

A. The Requests Given (Psalm 6:1-2)

1. The requests for safe motives (Psalm 6:1; Psalm 38:1-11; see also Ruth 1:20)
a. Rebuke me not in thine anger.
b. Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
2. The requests for reprieve (Psalm 6:2)
a. Have mercy upon me. In other words, please withhold from me the bad things (rebuke, chastening) that I rightly deserve.
b. Heal me.

B. The Concerns Explained (Psalm 6:2)

1. I am weak.
2. My bones are vexed (Psalm 38:3; Psalm 51:8).
3. My soul is also sore vexed (Psalm 6:3).

III. A PLEA FOR LIFE (Psalm 6:3-5)

A. The Present Conditions (Psalm 6:3-4a)

1. His soul is sore vexed (Psalm 6:3).
2. He feels as though the LORD has departed (Psalm 6:3-4).

B. The Present Need (Psalm 6:4)

1. Deliver my soul
2. Save me

C. The Motive Pled (Psalm 6:4)

1. For
2. Thy mercies’ sake (Nehemiah 9:31; Psalm 31:16; Psalm 44:26; Psalm 115:1)

D. The Present Concern (Psalm 6:5; Psalm 30:9; Psalm 88:10-12; Psalm 115:17-18; Psalm 118:17-18; Ecclesiastes 9:10)

1. In death there is no remembrance of thee.
2. In the grave who shall give thee thanks?
3. Note: The psalmist’s motives for living were righteous – He wanted to live to remember and give thanks to God. On the other hand, those who want to die often feel such for selfish reasons (Numbers 11:13-15; Jonah 4:1-9).

IV. THE EXTENT OF THE PAINS (Psalm 6:6-7)

A. The Multitude of Tears (Psalm 6:6)

1. All the night make I my bed to swim.
2. I water my couch with my tears.
3. The association of tears and grief
a. “My tears have been my meat day and night” (Psalm 42:3)
b. “Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.” (Psalm 80:5)

B. The Presence of Groaning (Psalm 6:6)

C. The Physical Ailments (Psalm 6:6a, 7)

1. Weariness (Psalm 6:6a)
2. Sleeplessness (Psalm 6:6a)
3. Eye problems (Psalm 6:7)
a. Mine eye is consumed
b. It waxeth old

V. THE SOURCE OF THE PAINS (Psalm 6:8-10)

A. The Presence of Enemies (Psalm 6:8)

1. His eye waxed old because of all his enemies (Psalm 6:7b). Note: Could consist of his brothers, his king, his children, or his true enemies
2. He was surrounded by “workers of iniquity” (Psalm 6:8; Psalm 119:15; Psalm 139:19). This reminds us of words that will be uttered by the Lord one day in the future (Luke 13:27).

B. The Power of Prayer (Psalm 6:8-9)

1. The LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping (Psalm 6:8).
2. The LORD hath heard my supplication (Psalm 6:9).
3. The LORD will receive my prayer (Psalm 6:9).

C. The Victorious End (Psalm 6:10)

1. Let all mine enemies be ashamed (Psalm 25:3; Psalm 35:26; Psalm 40:14-15; Psalm 71:13; Psalm 83:1-18, esp. 16-18; Jeremiah 20:11).
2. Let them be sore vexed.
3. Let them return.
4. Let them be ashamed suddenly (see also 1 Samuel 24:6 and 1 Chronicles 16:22).