To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, a Psalm of David. What is designed by “the chief musician,” and what is meant by “neginoth,” have been observed preciously, See Gill on “Ps.

O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, The Lord sometimes rebukes or reproves men by his spirit, and sometimes by his word and ministers, and sometimes by his providences, and that on account of sin; to bring to a sense and acknowledgment of it; and particularly for remissness in duty, or neglect of…

Have mercy upon me, O Lord He knew he was a sinner, both by original sin and actual transgression, which he was always ready to own; he knew that what he had done deserved the wrath of God, even his hot displeasure; and that for such things it came upon the children of disobedience: he knew that…

My soul is also sore vexed Or “exceedingly troubled” [[2]], and even frightened and thrown into a consternation with indwelling sin, and on account of actual transgressions, and by reason of the hidings of God’s face, and through the temptations of Satan, and because of the fear of death; to which…

Return, O Lord By this it seems that the Lord had withdrawn himself, and was departed from the psalmist, wherefore he entreats him to return unto him, and grant him his gracious presence.

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…

I am weary with my groanings By reason of bodily illness, or indwelling sin, or the guilt of actual transgressions, or the hidings of God’s face, or a sense of divine wrath, or the temptations of Satan, or afflictions and crosses of various kinds, or fears of death, or even earnest desires after…

Mine eye is consumed because of grief Either by reason of the affliction he laboured under, which could not he joyous, but grievous; or because, of the sin that was in him, and those that he had committed, which were grieving to him; or through the sins of other professors of religion, or profane…

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…

The Lord hath heard my supplication Which he had presented to him, (Ps. 6:1, Ps. 6:2, Ps. 6:4) ; in which he deprecates his anger and hot displeasure; entreats his free favour, grace, and mercy; desires healing for soul or body, or both; prays a return of his gracious presence; and deliverance and…

Let all mine enemies be ashamed Or “they shall be ashamed” [[9]]; and so the following clauses may be rendered, and be considered as prophecies of what would be; though if this be considered as an imprecation, it is wishing no ill; wicked men are not ashamed of their abominations committed by them,…