Read the following psalm and allow it to be your prayer to God today.

Psalm 6 (NIV)

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?

Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave?

I am worn out from my groaning.

All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.

Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Psalm 6 (NRSV)

O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, or discipline me in your wrath. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror. My soul also is struck with terror, while you, O Lord–how long?

Turn, O Lord, save my life; deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love. For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who can give you praise?

I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eyes waste away because of grief; they grow weak because of all my foes.

Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord accepts my prayer. All my enemies shall be ashamed and struck with terror; they shall turn back, and in a moment be put to shame.

Creative Options for Reading Psalms

Draw a Prayer

The Psalms are filled with rich imagery. After reading Psalm 6, draw the images that come to mind. You don’t have to be an artist to find value in drawing the images and emotions behind the Psalms.

If you don’t enjoy drawing, you can write out Psalm 6 using different colored pens or pencils. Creatively writing out the psalm can help you connect with it in a new way.

Listen to a Song

Poor Bishop Hooper publishes a new song each week. Each song creatively presents the words of a psalm.

You can find their song based on Psalm 6 here.

Read with a Friend

Find a friend or family member and read the psalm together. Together, talk about what Psalm 6 means to you. Sometimes having another perspective can help you gain new insights.