Psalms 6:5

KJV

For in death [there is] no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

KJV (with Strong's)

For in death {H4194} there is no remembrance {H2143} of thee: in the grave {H7585} who shall give thee thanks {H3034}?

Complete Jewish Bible

for in death, no one remembers you; in Sh'ol, who will praise you?

Berean Standard Bible

For there is no mention of You in death; who can praise You from Sheol?

American Standard Version

For in death there is no remembrance of thee: In Sheol who shall give thee thanks?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse from Psalm 6 presents a profound lament from King David, who, in the throes of severe suffering, desperately pleads for divine preservation from the brink of death. His argument hinges on the ancient Israelite understanding that in the state of death, specifically within the shadowy realm of Sheol, the active remembrance of God and the vibrant, embodied expression of thanksgiving cease. David's appeal is a powerful rhetorical strategy, rooted in the conviction that the living are uniquely positioned to offer conscious, communal worship to God, thereby appealing to God's own glory and His desire for the praise of His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 6 stands as the first of the seven traditional Penitential Psalms, a collection characterized by deep contrition, confession, and earnest pleas for deliverance from suffering. Immediately preceding this verse, David pours out his soul in anguish, describing his physical and emotional torment, his bones vexed, his soul troubled, and his eyes wasted away from grief, as vividly portrayed in [Psalms 6:2-3](/psalms/6-2-3 "Psalms 6:2-3 - David's Anguish and Plea"). The psalmist is at the brink of death, feeling the weight of God's displeasure, a sentiment clearly articulated in [Psalms 6:1](/psalms/6-1 "Psalms 6:1 - David's Plea for Mercy"). Verse 5 serves as a crucial component of his argument for divine intervention, presenting God with the consequence of his demise: the cessation of his active praise. The psalm concludes with a renewed sense of hope and confidence in God's answer, as David declares his enemies will be put to shame in [Psalms 6:8-10](/psalms/6-8-10 "Psalms 6:8-10 - David's Confidence in God's Deliverance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concept of the afterlife, particularly as represented by *Sheol*, was distinct from later theological developments. Sheol was understood as the common abode of the dead, a shadowy, silent, and often inert realm beneath the earth. While it did not necessarily imply annihilation, it was generally not conceived as a place of vibrant, conscious interaction with God or active, vocal worship. The primary sphere for remembering God and offering thanksgiving was life on earth, within the community of faith and the temple. This perspective underscores the profound value placed on physical life as the arena for covenant relationship and public worship. David's plea reflects this worldview, where the cessation of life meant the cessation of this earthly, embodied form of praise.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Psalms and broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **the value of life for worship**, emphasizing that the living are the ones who can actively remember God and give Him thanks. David's desire to live is intrinsically linked to his longing to continue his communion and adoration of the Lord, a theme echoed in other psalms like [Psalms 30:9](/psalms/30-9 "Psalm 30:9 - Praise in the Pit?"). Secondly, it functions as a **desperate plea for deliverance**, leveraging the argument that God's glory is diminished if one of His faithful worshippers is silenced by death. David appeals to God's own interest in receiving praise. Thirdly, it provides insight into the **ancient understanding of the afterlife**, particularly the nature of *Sheol*, as a place where the active, vibrant forms of praise and remembrance common in life are no longer possible, distinguishing it from the dynamic relationship enjoyed by the living.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **death (Hebrew, _mâveth'_):** From H4194, this term denotes "death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin." In Psalms 6:5, it refers to the cessation of physical life, the ultimate end of earthly existence, which David perceives as the termination of his capacity for active, embodied worship and remembrance of God.
* **remembrance (Hebrew, _zêker'_):** From H2143, this noun signifies "a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration; memorial, memory, remembrance, scent." In this context, "remembrance" denotes more than mere mental recall; it implies an active acknowledgment, mindful attention, and a responsive action towards God. David fears that in death, he would lose the capacity for this dynamic, ongoing relationship with God, characterized by the active recognition of His character, deeds, and covenant faithfulness, and the appropriate worship that flows from such remembrance.
* **grave (Hebrew, _shᵉʼôwl'_):** From H7585, this term refers to "Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates; grave, hell, pit." In the Old Testament, *Sheol* was generally understood as the common abode of the dead, a shadowy, silent, and often inert realm beneath the earth. It was not typically conceived as a place of vibrant, conscious interaction with God or active, vocal worship. David's concern is the cessation of earthly activity, particularly the active, public worship and remembrance of God, rather than a definitive statement on the eternal destiny of the soul.
* **thanks (Hebrew, _yâdâh'_):** Derived from H3034, this primitive root literally means "to use (i.e. hold out) the hand." It extends to physically throwing, but especially to "revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands); cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving)." In Psalms 6:5, it refers specifically to the act of giving thanks or praise, often with an outward physical expression, signifying a vibrant, active form of worship that David believes is impossible from the grave.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For in death [there is] no remembrance of thee":** This clause presents David's primary argument for divine intervention. He asserts that physical death, the termination of earthly existence, would result in the cessation of his active "remembrance" of God. This "remembrance" is not merely cognitive recall but the active, conscious, and embodied worship and acknowledgment of God that is characteristic of life in covenant relationship. David fears that his death would sever his capacity for this vital spiritual activity, which is central to his identity as a worshipper.
* **"in the grave who shall give thee thanks?":** This is a powerful rhetorical question that reinforces the preceding statement. "The grave" here is synonymous with *Sheol*, the realm of the dead. The question implies a resounding "no one," emphasizing that the realm of the dead is perceived as a place where the active, vocal, and communal expression of thanksgiving and praise to God ceases. David appeals to God's own glory and reputation, suggesting that his continued life is essential for the perpetuation of worship and the public declaration of God's goodness and faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 6:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey David's desperate plea. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "in the grave who shall give thee thanks?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to make a forceful assertion: no one in the grave can offer the kind of vibrant, active thanksgiving that the living can. This device underscores the urgency and desperation of David's appeal, framing his survival as beneficial to God's own glory. Additionally, the verse uses **Parallelism** in its structure, with the first clause ("For in death [there is] no remembrance of thee") being conceptually mirrored and reinforced by the second ("in the grave who shall give thee thanks?"). This synonymous parallelism intensifies the core message, emphasizing the cessation of active worship in death. The overall tone of the psalm, and this verse in particular, is a profound **Lament** and **Plea**, characteristic of the Penitential Psalms, where the psalmist pours out his distress and makes an earnest appeal for divine intervention based on a compelling argument.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while reflecting an ancient Israelite understanding of Sheol, carries profound theological weight regarding the value of life and the nature of worship. It underscores the biblical emphasis on the present life as the primary arena for active, conscious, and embodied praise of God. David's plea is not a denial of a continued existence, but an expression of the deep desire to continue in a dynamic, responsive relationship with God, offering Him the thanks and remembrance that are uniquely possible in the land of the living. It highlights that God desires the praise of His people, and that our lives are a gift to be used for His glory, a testament to His goodness and mercy.

* [Psalm 30:9](/psalms/30-9 "Psalm 30:9 - What Profit in My Blood?")
* [Psalm 88:10-12](/psalms/88-10-12 "Psalm 88:10-12 - Can the Dead Praise You?")
* [Isaiah 38:18-19](/isaiah/38-18-19 "Isaiah 38:18-18 - Hezekiah's Lament and Praise of the Living")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the New Testament offers a clearer revelation of resurrection and eternal life, transforming our understanding of death for believers, David's heartfelt cry in Psalms 6:5 still resonates deeply. It serves as a powerful reminder to cherish our present life as the God-given opportunity to worship, serve, and give thanks. Our time on earth is finite, and every moment is a precious chance to engage in intentional praise and devotion. This verse motivates us to live lives that honor God, seeking His mercy and deliverance in trials, so that we may continue to bear witness to His goodness and actively participate in His kingdom work. It encourages us to make the most of our earthly existence as the unique sphere for embodied worship and faithful obedience, recognizing that our praise here has a distinct quality and purpose in the grand narrative of God's redemptive plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's plea in this verse challenge my own priorities regarding worship and my use of the time God has given me?**
* **In what ways can I more intentionally "remember" God and "give Him thanks" in my daily life, recognizing the preciousness of this present opportunity for embodied worship?**
* **How does the New Testament's revelation of resurrection hope both affirm and transform the sentiments expressed in Psalms 6:5 for a believer today, particularly concerning the nature of praise beyond the grave?**

### FAQ

**What is the Old Testament understanding of "Sheol" as reflected in this verse?**

Answer: In the Old Testament, "Sheol" (Hebrew: שְׁאוֹל) generally refers to the grave or the common abode of the dead, a shadowy, silent realm beneath the earth. It was not typically conceived as a place of vibrant, conscious interaction with God or active, vocal worship, unlike the dynamic relationship enjoyed by the living. Psalms 6:5 reflects this understanding, where David laments that in death, he would no longer be able to actively remember God or give Him thanks in the same embodied, communal way as he could in life. This perspective emphasizes the profound value placed on physical life as the arena for covenant relationship and public worship, a theme echoed in other passages such as [Psalms 30:9](/psalms/30-9 "Psalm 30:9 - Praise in the Pit?") and [Isaiah 38:18](/isaiah/38-18 "Isaiah 38:18 - Hezekiah's Lament").

**Does this verse imply that Old Testament believers did not believe in an afterlife or eternal praise?**

Answer: No, this verse does not necessarily imply a complete denial of an afterlife or eternal existence for the soul. Rather, it reflects the specific Old Testament understanding that the *active, embodied, and communal forms of praise and remembrance* ceased in Sheol. The focus is on the cessation of the vibrant, earthly worship experienced by the living, not on the ultimate destiny of the soul. While the Old Testament's revelation of the afterlife was progressive and less explicit than the New Testament's, there are hints of a continued existence and even hope beyond the grave, as seen in passages like [Job 19:25-27](/job/19-25-27 "Job 19:25-27 - Job's Redeemer") and [Psalms 16:10-11](/psalms/16-10-11 "Psalm 16:10-11 - Path of Life"). Psalms 6:5 is a desperate plea for preservation of life *for the sake of earthly worship*, not a comprehensive theological treatise on the afterlife.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 6:5, with its poignant lament over the cessation of praise in death, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. David's fear of being silenced by death is utterly overcome by the resurrection of Christ. Jesus, through His death and glorious resurrection, conquered the power of death and the grave, opening the way for believers to experience eternal life and unending praise. The New Testament declares that for those in Christ, "death is swallowed up in victory" ([1 Corinthians 15:54](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54 - Victory Over Death")). Because Jesus "is the resurrection and the life," those who believe in Him "will live, even though they die" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), and their praise will never cease. The shadow of Sheol, where remembrance and thanksgiving were thought to end, is dispelled by the light of Christ's triumph. We are now called to live lives of active praise and worship, not out of fear of being silenced, but out of the glorious hope that our remembrance and thanksgiving to God will continue eternally in His presence, empowered by the Spirit and secured by the finished work of the Lamb of God, who is worthy of all praise ([Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9-10 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The Song of the Lamb")).

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

Psalms 88:10

¶ Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise [and] praise thee? Selah.

Psalms 88:12

Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

Psalms 115:17

The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Psalms 30:9

What profit [is there] in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

Isaiah 38:18

For the grave cannot praise thee, death can [not] celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.

Isaiah 38:19

The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I [do] this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.