Psalms 6:3

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 6:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “My soul also is sore troubled: And thou, O Jehovah, how long?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

My soul also is sore troubled: And thou, O Jehovah, how long?
Psalms 6:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3My soul also is sore troubled: And thou, O Jehovah, how long?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“My soul is also sore vexed, etc.] Or “exceedingly troubled” f99, 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 Old Testament saints were very incident. But thou, O Lord, how long? it is an abrupt expression, the whole he designed is not spoken, being hindered through the grief and sorrow with which his heart was overwhelmed; and is to be supplied after this manner, “shall I have refreshment?” as the Chaldee paraphrase; or, “wilt thou look and not heal me?” as Jarchi; or “my soul be troubled?” as Aben…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“how long?--shall this be so (compare Psa 79:5). but--or, "and." thou--The sentence is incomplete as expressive of strong emotion.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“My soul is also sore vexed - The word “soul” here is used in the sense in which it is commonly with us, as denoting the mind. The idea is, that his sorrows were not merely those of the bodily frame. They had a deeper seat than even the bones. His mind, his soul, was full of anguish also, in view of the circumstances which surrounded him, and which had brought on these bodily afflictions. But thou, O Lord - This is a broken sentence, as if he had commenced an address to God, but did not complete it. It is as if he had said, “Here I suffer and languish; my sorrows are deep and unmitigated; as for thee, O Lord” - as if he were about to say that he had hoped God would interpose; or, that his…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“My: Psa 22:14, Psa 31:9, Psa 31:10, Psa 38:8, Psa 42:5, Psa 42:11, Psa 77:2, Psa 77:3; Pro 18:14; Mat 26:38 how: Psa 13:1, Psa 13:2, Psa 77:7, Psa 90:13; Luk 18:7 Psalms 6:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification