Psalms 6:8

KJV

¶ Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

KJV (with Strong's)

Depart {H5493} from me, all ye workers {H6466} of iniquity {H205}; for the LORD {H3068} hath heard {H8085} the voice {H6963} of my weeping {H1065}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Get away from me, all you workers of evil! For ADONAI has heard the sound of my weeping,

Berean Standard Bible

Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the LORD has heard my weeping.

American Standard Version

Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; For Jehovah hath heard the voice of my weeping.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 6:8 marks a pivotal moment within David's profound lament, transforming his deep anguish into a triumphant declaration of faith. Having poured out his soul in physical and emotional distress, the psalmist suddenly asserts with unwavering confidence that the LORD has indeed heard his desperate cries. This verse signifies a dramatic shift from the depths of despair to the assurance of divine intervention, empowering David to boldly command separation from those who actively practice wickedness, confident in God's imminent vindication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 6 is a classic example of a Psalm of Lament, characterized by its movement from intense suffering to a declaration of trust and anticipated deliverance. The preceding verses (Psalms 6:1-7) vividly portray David's profound distress, likely due to severe illness and the taunts of his enemies. He pleads for God's mercy, describing his physical weakness, emotional exhaustion, and eyes consumed by sorrow and grief. Verse 8 functions as the crucial "turn" or pivot point in the psalm. The tone abruptly shifts from desperate supplication to confident assertion, indicating that the psalmist has received an inner assurance from God that his prayers have been heard. This newfound confidence then propels him to rebuke his adversaries and anticipate their shame in the concluding verses (Psalms 6:9-10).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical occasion for Psalm 6 is not stated, the superscription attributes it to David, suggesting a period of intense personal suffering, possibly compounded by the malicious actions of his adversaries. In ancient Israelite thought, illness was often perceived as a consequence of sin or a sign of divine displeasure, which would have intensified David's spiritual and emotional anguish, making him vulnerable to the taunts of his enemies. The "workers of iniquity" (Hebrew: *po'aley 'aven*) likely refer to those who actively and habitually practice evil, perhaps rejoicing in David's misfortune or seeking his downfall. The public nature of lament and prayer was common, and the expectation of divine justice against the wicked was a foundational aspect of the covenant relationship.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 6:8 contributes significantly to several major themes found throughout the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Intervention and Answered Prayer**. David's declaration, "for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping," underscores God's attentiveness and responsiveness to the sincere cries of His people, especially in their deepest distress. This resonates with passages like [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The Righteous Cry Out") and [Psalm 116:1-2](/psalms/116-1 "Psalm 116:1-2 - God Hears My Voice"). Another prominent theme is **Separation from Wickedness**. David's forceful command, "Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity," signifies a clear moral and spiritual boundary. Empowered by God's hearing, he asserts his righteous stance against those who oppose God's ways, echoing the call for separation from ungodly influences seen in [Psalm 1:1](/psalms/1-1 "Psalm 1:1 - The Blessed Man"). Finally, the verse highlights **Confidence in God's Faithfulness**. The dramatic shift from despair to triumph is a powerful testament to David's renewed faith. Despite his prior anguish, the realization that God has heard him instills an unshakeable confidence, allowing him to boldly confront his enemies, reminding believers that even in the darkest moments, faith in God's character can bring assurance and peace, as promised in [Isaiah 26:3](/isaiah/26-3 "Isaiah 26:3 - Perfect Peace").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Depart (Hebrew, _sûr'_):** This imperative verb carries the sense of "turn aside," "remove," or "take away." It is a strong, authoritative command, not a mere request. The psalmist, previously weak and pleading, now stands firm, empowered by God's assurance, to dismiss his adversaries.
* **Workers of iniquity (Hebrew, _po'aley 'aven'_):** This phrase literally translates to "doers of trouble" or "those who produce sorrow/wickedness." The term *'aven* (אָוֶן) denotes wickedness, trouble, or mischief, often with a sense of futility or emptiness. The participle *po'aley* (פֹּעֲלֵי) emphasizes the active, habitual, and intentional nature of their wrongdoing, indicating that their very identity is bound up in their evil deeds.
* **Heard (Hebrew, _shama'_):** More than simply perceiving sound, *shama'* (שָׁמַע) in this context implies attentive listening, understanding, and a readiness to respond or act. It signifies that God has not only registered David's cries but has also taken them to heart and is prepared to intervene on his behalf. This is the foundation of David's renewed confidence.
* **Weeping (Hebrew, _bekhi'_):** This noun refers to deep, heartfelt sorrow, often accompanied by tears. It signifies the intensity and sincerity of David's lament, emphasizing that his prayers were not superficial but sprang from profound anguish and desperation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity;":** This is a sudden, forceful imperative, a dramatic shift from the psalmist's earlier pleas for mercy. It indicates a profound change in David's spiritual state, now empowered by a divine assurance. He is no longer passively suffering but actively rebuking his adversaries, asserting a clear boundary between himself (as one heard by God) and those who actively practice evil. This command is a declaration of spiritual and moral separation.
* **"for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.":** The conjunction "for" (כִּי, *ki*) introduces the reason and foundation for the preceding command. David's newfound confidence and authority to dismiss his enemies are not self-generated but stem directly from the conviction that God, the sovereign LORD (Yahweh), has not only heard but also attentively considered and is ready to respond to his deep, heartfelt lament. The "voice of my weeping" personifies his sorrow, emphasizing the depth and sincerity of his desperate cries.

#### Literary Devices
The most striking literary device in Psalms 6:8 is the **Dramatic Shift** or **Turn (Peripeteia)**. The verse marks an abrupt and powerful transition from the profound anguish and despair expressed in the preceding verses (Psalms 6:1-7) to a confident declaration of divine intervention and a bold rebuke of enemies. This sudden change in tone is characteristic of many Psalms of Lament, where the psalmist moves from complaint to trust, often indicating a moment of divine assurance. Additionally, **Apostrophe** is employed as David directly addresses the "workers of iniquity," speaking to them as if they are present and listening, even if they are not physically there. The phrase "voice of my weeping" also utilizes **Personification**, attributing a human quality (a voice) to an abstract emotion (weeping), emphasizing the depth and expressiveness of David's sorrow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 6:8 stands as a powerful testament to the efficacy of sincere prayer and God's compassionate attentiveness to human suffering. It reveals that even in the deepest troughs of despair, when all seems lost and enemies gloat, the cries of the righteous are never unheard by the Sovereign Lord. This divine hearing transforms the lamenter's posture from one of weakness and supplication to one of strength and confident assertion, enabling them to stand against wickedness. The verse underscores God's character as a faithful covenant partner who not only listens but also acts on behalf of His distressed children, bringing about vindication and justice against those who oppose His ways. It is a profound declaration of faith that God's presence and intervention are the ultimate source of strength and deliverance.

* [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The Lord Hears the Righteous")
* [Psalm 119:115](/psalms/119-115 "Psalm 119:115 - Departure from the Wicked")
* [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 6:8 offers profound encouragement and a transformative model for believers facing their own seasons of distress. It teaches us that our honest, even agonizing, laments are not only permissible but are actively heard by God. When we pour out our hearts in genuine sorrow, God listens, and His hearing can bring about a profound shift in our spirit, transforming despair into confident faith. This divine assurance then empowers us to confront and separate ourselves from the "workers of iniquity" in our lives—whether they are external adversaries, internal sinful patterns, or negative influences that seek to undermine our faith and well-being. The verse reminds us that our victory over these forces is not by our own strength but by the power of God who hears and intervenes, enabling us to stand firm in righteousness and experience His liberating presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does honest lament, like David's, help to transform our perspective on suffering and God's role within it?**
* **What "workers of iniquity" (negative influences, sinful habits, or destructive relationships) might God be empowering you to "depart from" in your life today?**
* **In what ways does the assurance of God hearing your prayers strengthen your confidence and resolve during times of distress or opposition?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the sudden shift in tone in Psalm 6:8?**

Answer: The sudden shift in tone in Psalms 6:8, from deep lament and despair to confident assertion, is highly significant. It represents a common feature in many Psalms of Lament, often referred to as the "turn" or "pivot." This transition indicates that the psalmist, David, has received an inner assurance or revelation from God that his prayers have been heard and that divine intervention is imminent. It's not a self-generated burst of optimism but a faith-filled response to God's perceived presence and readiness to act. This shift empowers the psalmist to move from pleading to proclaiming, from weakness to strength, and from fear to a confident expectation of vindication.

**Who are the "workers of iniquity" David refers to, and how does this apply to believers today?**

Answer: In the immediate context of Psalms 6:8, the "workers of iniquity" (Hebrew: *po'aley 'aven*) refer to David's adversaries—those who actively practice evil, perhaps gloating over his suffering or seeking his downfall. They are individuals whose actions are characterized by wickedness and mischief. For believers today, this phrase can apply to literal enemies or those who oppose righteousness, but it can also be understood more broadly. It encompasses any active force or influence that promotes sin, injustice, or spiritual harm. This includes sinful habits, destructive thought patterns, ungodly cultural pressures, or relationships that draw us away from God. David's command to "depart from" them is a call for spiritual discernment and a commitment to separate oneself from anything that actively works against God's will and our spiritual well-being.

**Does God always answer prayers immediately, as implied by David's sudden confidence?**

Answer: While David's confidence in Psalms 6:8 appears sudden, it doesn't necessarily imply an immediate, tangible answer in the sense of an instant cessation of his suffering. Rather, it signifies an immediate *assurance* from God that his prayers have been heard and that God is attentive and will act in His perfect timing and way. God always hears the sincere prayers of His people, but His answers may come in various forms: a change in our perspective, an infusion of peace, the strength to endure, or a direct intervention at a later time. The key takeaway from this verse is the certainty of God's attentiveness and faithfulness, which empowers us to trust even when the full manifestation of His answer is yet to come.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 6:8 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As the archetypal sufferer, Jesus experienced the depths of human anguish and lament, far surpassing David's pain. In Gethsemane, He poured out His soul with "loud cries and tears" ([Hebrews 5:7](/hebrews/5-7 "Hebrews 5:7 - Jesus' Prayers Heard")), pleading with the Father, "not my will, but yours, be done" ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). Though He drank the cup of suffering, His Father "heard" Him not by removing the cross, but by sustaining Him through it and raising Him from the dead, thereby vindicating Him and His mission. Jesus is the one who truly vanquishes the "workers of iniquity"—Satan, sin, and death—triumphing over them on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Evil")). Through His death and resurrection, He empowers believers to "depart from" the dominion of sin, crucifying the old self with its works of iniquity ([Romans 6:6](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6 - Crucifixion of the Old Self")). His victory ensures that our "weeping" in this life is not in vain, for He intercedes for us, and through Him, our prayers are always heard by the Father, guaranteeing our ultimate deliverance from all evil ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Christ Destroying the Works of the Devil")).

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

Luke 13:27

But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all [ye] workers of iniquity.

Psalms 145:18

The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Psalms 119:115

¶ Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Matthew 7:23

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Psalms 3:4

¶ I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

Matthew 25:41

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Hebrews 5:7

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;