Psalm 6 8

Psalm 6:8 kjv

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

Psalm 6:8 nkjv

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

Psalm 6:8 niv

Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping.

Psalm 6:8 esv

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

Psalm 6:8 nlt

Go away, all you who do evil,
for the LORD has heard my weeping.

Psalm 6 verses

Psalm 6 8 Meaning

Psalm 6:8 marks a profound shift from lament to triumphant faith. After expressing deep anguish and affliction, the Psalmist declares with resolute certainty that his adversaries, the "workers of iniquity," must "depart." The basis for this authoritative command is explicitly stated: "For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping." It signifies divine intervention and vindication; God's acknowledgement of his fervent prayer guarantees the removal of evil and the restoration of righteousness.

Psalm 6 8 Context

Psalm 6 is a Penitential Psalm, reflecting a deeply personal cry to God from one experiencing severe distress, both physical and emotional, possibly stemming from illness and the oppressive actions of adversaries. Prior to verse 8, the Psalmist expresses exhaustion from groaning, watering his bed with tears, and the debilitating effect of grief and aging on his eyes due to his tormentors. His enemies likely saw his affliction as evidence of divine disfavor, mocking his faith. Verse 8 marks a dramatic pivot: from profound lamentation and fear of God's wrath, the Psalmist shifts to an absolute declaration of faith and an authoritative command to his foes. This sudden turnaround indicates a spiritual realization or assurance that God has indeed heard his earlier prayers, transforming his sorrow into a confident expectation of divine action and vindication.

Psalm 6 8 Word analysis

• Depart (סוּרוּ - sū·rū): An imperative verb, strong and authoritative, not a mere plea or wish. It commands removal, cessation, or turning away. Its immediate, forceful nature reflects the Psalmist's newfound spiritual certainty that his adversaries have no place in God's redeemed space or purpose.
• from me: A direct, personal declaration emphasizing the Psalmist's liberation from the influence or presence of these malicious individuals.
• all you workers of iniquity (פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן - pō·‘ălê ’ā·wen): This Hebrew phrase refers to those who are habitual practitioners or "doers" of evil, mischief, or wickedness. It's not a description of occasional missteps, but of a lifestyle consistently aligned with malice, often causing harm or oppression to others, particularly the righteous. This contrasts sharply with those who "work righteousness" (Ps 15:2).
• For (כִּי - kī): A crucial conjunction signifying "because," "for," or "indeed." It links the command to depart with the divine reason for that command. The departure is not a result of human strength or desire alone, but directly grounded in God's established action.
• the LORD (יְהֹוָה - YHWH/Yahweh): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship, faithfulness, and absolute sovereignty. It's His divine authority, bound by His covenant promises, that validates the Psalmist's declaration.
• has heard (שָׁמַע - šā·ma‘): The Hebrew verb here often means more than mere auditory perception; it implies attentive listening followed by understanding, acknowledgement, and ultimately, action. The past tense "has heard" conveys absolute certainty and completed action in the divine realm, ensuring future manifestation.
• the voice (קוֹל - qōl): Refers to the audible and expressive nature of the Psalmist's prayer. It wasn't a silent meditation but an intense, crying out, often accompanied by sounds of distress.
• of my weeping (בִּכְיִי - biḵ·yî): Emphasizes the deep emotional anguish and distress that prompted the Psalmist's prayer. His lament was accompanied by tears, highlighting the raw and desperate sincerity of his petition to God.

• "Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity": This segment is a prophetic and authoritative dismissal. It signals a spiritual turning point where the Psalmist, assured of God's intervention, no longer tolerates the presence of evil, foreseeing their inevitable removal. It functions as an early declaration of God's impending justice against those who persistently oppose righteousness.
• "For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping": This second segment provides the divine foundation and absolute certainty for the preceding command. The effectiveness and authority of the Psalmist's declaration are rooted entirely in the fact that the sovereign God, Yahweh, has already heard and taken heed of his sincere and tearful cries. This connection highlights the transformative power of prayer, especially in deep distress, enabling a believer to stand firm in divine truth.

Psalm 6 8 Bonus section

The abrupt shift in tone from utter despair to triumphant declaration in Psalm 6:8 is characteristic of many Psalms of lament, often termed the "turn" or "shift" in scholarly analysis. This turn indicates that while the psalmist's external circumstances may not have immediately changed, his internal spiritual posture has transformed due to an inner revelation or conviction that his prayer has been accepted by God. This transition demonstrates faith's ability to transcend present suffering by resting on the certainty of future divine intervention. It's a prime example of lament, when expressed genuinely and vulnerably before God, becoming a pathway to renewed hope and prophetic utterance. The declaration of "depart from me" is thus not an act of self-righteousness, but an act of faith, speaking divine truth into adverse circumstances, recognizing God's authority above all earthly opposition. This also serves as a strong reminder that tears are not weakness in prayer, but rather can be powerful expressions that capture God's attention and prompt His action.

Psalm 6 8 Commentary

Psalm 6:8 represents the pivotal moment of divine assurance within a psalm of deep lament. It is a powerful testament to the transformative power of fervent prayer and a clear demonstration of faith that activates God's promised response. The Psalmist, earlier submerged in grief and suffering, transitions abruptly from despair to a firm, almost prophetic, declaration. This is not wishful thinking but a bold pronouncement born out of a confident conviction that God has actively listened to his distressed pleas. The phrase "the LORD has heard" carries the weight of divine intention and imminent action, making the departure of the wicked an assured outcome rather than a mere hope. This verse teaches that God acknowledges genuine, tearful cries of distress and intervenes on behalf of His suffering faithful. It assures that spiritual vindication follows earnest intercession, establishing a necessary separation between the righteous, whom God upholds, and the persistently wicked, whom He opposes. The "workers of iniquity" represent deliberate antagonists to God's ways and people, whose removal is integral to God's justice and the peace of the righteous. This profound declaration emboldens believers to trust that their deepest sorrows and prayers are not overlooked by the sovereign Lord.Example: A person facing persistent spiritual attacks, after much prayer and tears, may find the inner conviction to spiritually declare resistance, knowing God hears and will act on their behalf.Example: When experiencing severe injustice, realizing that fervent prayer empowers a declaration of faith in God's impending justice against wrongdoers, leading to a profound inner peace and a sense of liberation.