Psalms 6:2

KJV

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I [am] weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

KJV (with Strong's)

Have mercy {H2603} upon me, O LORD {H3068}; for I am weak {H536}: O LORD {H3068}, heal {H7495} me; for my bones {H6106} are vexed {H926}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Be gracious to me, ADONAI, because I am withering away; heal me, ADONAI, because my bones are shaking;

Berean Standard Bible

Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony.

American Standard Version

Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah; for I am withered away: O Jehovah, heal me; for my bones are troubled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 6:2 presents a profound and urgent lament from the psalmist, likely King David, who cries out to the LORD for divine mercy and holistic healing. Overwhelmed by a deep sense of physical weakness and internal anguish that affects his very core, he acknowledges his utter dependence on God's compassionate intervention. This verse encapsulates the raw vulnerability of human suffering and the desperate, yet hopeful, plea for God's restorative power to alleviate distress that permeates body, mind, and spirit, setting the tone for a psalm of deep penitence and earnest supplication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 6 stands as the inaugural "penitential psalm," one of seven (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) characterized by confession of sin, deep lament, and earnest supplication for divine intervention in times of severe suffering. The psalm opens with a direct plea in [Psalm 6:1](/psalms/6-1 "Psalm 6:1 - A Plea Not to Be Rebuked in Anger") for God not to rebuke or chasten in His anger, immediately setting a tone of intense distress and a sense of divine displeasure. Verse 2 builds upon this by articulating the specific nature of the psalmist's suffering: a profound physical weakness and an internal "vexation" that affects his very bones, indicating a comprehensive breakdown of well-being. This verse is thus not an isolated cry but an integral part of a desperate appeal for God's immediate and merciful relief from a multifaceted affliction that is both physical and deeply psychological/spiritual, laying the groundwork for the subsequent pleas for deliverance from enemies and the ultimate turning point of hope in [Psalm 6:8-10](/psalms/6-8-10 "Psalm 6:8-10 - The Psalmist's Hope and Deliverance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite thought, there was often a strong correlation between suffering, illness, and sin or divine discipline, though this was not always a direct causal link (as powerfully explored in [the Book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job - The Problem of Suffering")). When facing severe illness or distress, it was common for individuals to examine their spiritual state and seek God's forgiveness and intervention. The psalmist, traditionally David, as king and representative of the nation, would have understood his personal suffering within this broader theological framework, perhaps seeing his affliction as a consequence of sin or a test of faith. The mention of "bones" (Hebrew: *'etsem*) is particularly significant, as bones were often seen as the deepest part of one's being, the very core of existence and strength. Thus, "my bones are vexed" signifies a profound, existential anguish that has permeated the psalmist's entire being, not merely a superficial ailment. This reflects a holistic understanding of the human person, where physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being were intrinsically linked, a concept pervasive throughout the Old Testament.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 6:2 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully expresses the theme of **human vulnerability and dependence on God**, as the psalmist acknowledges his inherent "weakness" and inability to overcome his distress without divine aid, mirroring the sentiment found in [Psalm 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - Calling on the LORD in Distress"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **God's compassionate character and readiness to show mercy**, as the opening plea "Have mercy upon me, O LORD" underscores His role as the ultimate source of relief and healing, even for those who are suffering due to their own failings or external pressures. Thirdly, the verse articulates a profound desire for **holistic healing**, where the vexation of the "bones" signifies a comprehensive suffering that requires God's complete restoration of body, mind, and spirit, a theme echoed in [Psalm 103:3](/psalms/103-3 "Psalm 103:3 - God Heals All Diseases and Forgives Sins"). Finally, it exemplifies the **power and purpose of lament** as a legitimate and faith-filled form of prayer, demonstrating that even in the depths of despair, trust in God's ultimate goodness and responsiveness remains, a pattern seen throughout the laments in [the Psalms](/psalms/1 "The Book of Psalms").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _chânan'_):** This primitive root (H2603) properly means "to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow." Causatively, it means "to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition)." The psalmist's plea is not based on merit but on God's inherent character of grace and compassion, an unmerited favor extended from a superior to an inferior. It is a desperate cry for God to incline Himself towards the suffering one with benevolent action.
* **Weak (Hebrew, _ʼumlal'_):** Derived from the root אָמַל (H536), this word signifies a state of being "sick" or "weak." In this context, it describes the psalmist's profound physical and perhaps emotional feebleness, a condition of utter powerlessness and inability to cope with the overwhelming distress he is experiencing. It denotes a state of being utterly drained of strength and vitality.
* **Vexed (Hebrew, _bâhal'_):** This primitive root (H926) means "to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e. (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated." When applied to "bones," it paints a vivid and visceral picture of extreme internal agitation and profound disturbance. It signifies a distress that is not superficial but has permeated the deepest parts of the psalmist's being, causing not just physical discomfort but an intense emotional and spiritual turmoil that destabilizes his entire inner peace and stability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Have mercy upon me, O LORD":** This opening imperative is a direct, desperate plea for divine compassion. The psalmist does not appeal based on merit or righteousness, but solely on God's character as merciful and gracious (H2603, _chânan'_). It is an acknowledgment of utter dependence on God's unmerited favor in a moment of profound need, addressing God by His covenant name, YHWH (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh'_), emphasizing His personal and relational nature.
* **"for I am weak":** This clause provides the immediate justification for the plea for mercy. The psalmist confesses his state of profound vulnerability and helplessness (H536, _ʼumlal'_), indicating that his suffering has rendered him utterly incapable of helping himself. This weakness is likely multifaceted, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.
* **"O LORD, heal me":** Following the plea for mercy, the psalmist specifies his need: healing (H7495, _râphâʼ'_). This is not just a request for relief from pain, but for restoration to wholeness. The repetition of "O LORD" (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh'_), again addressing God by His covenant name, emphasizes the psalmist's singular focus on God as the only source of such comprehensive healing.
* **"for my bones are vexed":** This second justificatory clause further elaborates on the depth and nature of the psalmist's suffering. "My bones" (H6106, _ʻetsem'_), representing the very core of his being, his physical frame and inner essence. The "vexation" (H926, _bâhal'_), meaning to be deeply agitated or terrified, of his bones signifies a deep, pervasive anguish that has permeated his entire person, affecting him at the most fundamental level—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 6:2 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey the psalmist's profound distress and urgent plea. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the two halves of the verse reinforce each other: "Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed." This repetition intensifies the urgency and comprehensive nature of the psalmist's suffering and his desperate need for God. Furthermore, the phrase "my bones are vexed" utilizes **Synecdoche**, where "bones," representing the deepest physical structure, stand in for the entire person, emphasizing that the distress is not superficial but has permeated the psalmist's entire being—body, mind, and spirit. This is also a powerful form of **Metaphorical Language**, as bones themselves don't literally get "vexed" but are used to convey the profound internal turmoil experienced. The entire verse functions as a direct **Supplication** within the broader genre of **Lament**, characteristic of psalms where the speaker pours out their distress to God while simultaneously expressing underlying trust in His ultimate goodness and responsiveness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 6:2 serves as a timeless theological anchor, revealing profound truths about God's character and the human condition. It underscores God's identity as the merciful and compassionate Lord, ever attentive to the cries of His suffering children. The psalmist's raw vulnerability in acknowledging weakness and deep internal vexation highlights the biblical understanding that human frailty is not a barrier to approaching God, but often the very catalyst. This verse affirms that God is concerned with our holistic well-being, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions, and that true healing originates from Him. It teaches that lament is a legitimate and faith-filled form of prayer, where despair is brought directly to the divine presence, trusting in God's power to restore.

* [Psalm 51:1](/psalms/51-1 "Psalm 51:1 - A Prayer for Mercy and Cleansing")
* [Psalm 103:3](/psalms/103-3 "Psalm 103:3 - God Forgives All Sins and Heals All Diseases")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 6:2 offers profound encouragement and guidance for believers navigating their own seasons of weakness and distress. It models an authentic, unvarnished approach to prayer, demonstrating that God welcomes our deepest vulnerabilities, our rawest pain, and our most desperate pleas. In a world that often pressures us to project strength and self-sufficiency, David's cry reminds us that true strength is found in acknowledging our limitations and casting ourselves entirely upon God's mercy. When our bodies ache, our minds are troubled, or our spirits are burdened to the point of "vexation," this verse invites us to bring our whole, broken selves before the Lord, trusting in His comprehensive care. It reassures us that God is not indifferent to our suffering but is the ultimate physician for every aspect of our being, ready to extend His healing hand to our physical ailments, emotional wounds, and spiritual distress. Our weakness, far from disqualifying us, becomes the very pathway through which God's boundless grace and power can be most profoundly revealed, transforming our lament into a testament of His faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific areas of "weakness" or "vexation" (physical, emotional, spiritual) are you experiencing today, and how does David's prayer resonate with your own cry to God?**
* **How does acknowledging your complete dependence on God's mercy, rather than your own strength or merit, change the way you approach Him in prayer?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's holistic healing (physical, emotional, spiritual) in your life, and how can you more consistently seek His comprehensive restoration?**
* **How can Psalm 6:2 encourage you to express your deepest pain and vulnerability to God without fear or reservation, knowing He hears and cares?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for David's "bones" to be vexed?**

Answer: In ancient Hebrew thought, "bones" (Hebrew: *'etsem*, H6106) were often considered the very core or essence of a person's being, representing their deepest self, strength, and vitality. Therefore, when David says his "bones are vexed" (Hebrew: *bâhal*, H926 – meaning terrified, dismayed, or thrown into confusion), it signifies a profound and comprehensive anguish that has permeated his entire being. It's not merely a physical ache, but an existential distress that affects his body, mind, and spirit, causing deep internal turmoil and instability. This phrase powerfully conveys the all-consuming nature of his suffering, indicating that he is deeply troubled at the most fundamental level of his existence, much like the profound spiritual and emotional distress described in [Psalm 42:5](/psalms/42-5 "Psalm 42:5 - Why are you cast down, O my soul?").

**Is Psalm 6:2 only about physical illness, or does it address other forms of suffering?**

Answer: While the language of "weak" (Hebrew: *ʼumlal*, H536) and "heal me" (Hebrew: *râphâʼ*, H7495) might suggest physical illness, the phrase "my bones are vexed" points to a much broader, holistic suffering. As discussed, "bones" represent the entire person, implying that David's distress is multifaceted, encompassing physical ailment, emotional anguish, and potentially spiritual turmoil due to sin or external pressures. The "penitential" nature of Psalm 6 suggests an underlying awareness of sin, which could contribute to his spiritual and emotional distress. Thus, Psalm 6:2 is a cry for comprehensive healing that addresses the entire person—body, soul, and spirit—from all forms of vexation and weakness, reflecting God's concern for our complete well-being, as seen in [3 John 1:2](/3_john/1-2 "3 John 1:2 - Beloved, I pray that you may prosper and be in good health and that your soul may prosper").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 6:2, with its raw cry for mercy and healing from deep-seated weakness and vexation, finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound answer in Jesus Christ. David's lament, born of personal suffering and the weight of sin, foreshadows the perfect lament of the Son of God who, in His humanity, fully experienced weakness, sorrow, and vexation to the core of His being. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus' soul was "very sorrowful, even to death" ([Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")), a spiritual and emotional agony that surely vexed His very bones, culminating in His cry for the cup to pass from Him. Yet, unlike David, Jesus was without sin, and His suffering was a redemptive act, bearing the weakness and sin of all humanity. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus became the ultimate "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering mercy and holistic healing far beyond what David could have fully comprehended. He not only heals our physical ailments but, more importantly, delivers us from the spiritual sickness of sin and the vexation of a soul separated from God. His resurrection is the ultimate triumph over weakness and death, promising a future where all tears are wiped away and there will be no more pain or vexation ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death, Mourning, Crying, or Pain")). Thus, David's plea for mercy and healing is perfectly answered in Christ, who is our compassionate High Priest, able to sympathize with our weaknesses and provide grace in our time of need ([Hebrews 4:15-16](/hebrews/4-15-16 "Hebrews 4:15-16 - Our High Priest and the Throne of Grace")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hosea 6:1

¶ Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

Psalms 30:2

O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

Psalms 31:10

For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

Jeremiah 17:14

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou [art] my praise.

Deuteronomy 32:39

¶ See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand.

Psalms 41:3

The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

Psalms 41:4

I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.