Psalms 6:1

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments, according to the sheminith style; ²  a psalm of David. Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger! Do not discipline me in your raging fury! ³ 

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith. A psalm of David. O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

<<For the choir director; with stringed instruments, upon an eight-string lyre. A Psalm of David.>> O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your wrath.

<<For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by an eight–stringed instrument.>> O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage.

Please, GOD, no more yelling, no more trips to the woodshed.

<To the chief music-maker on corded instruments, on the Sheminith. A Psalm. Of David.> O Lord, do not be bitter with me in your wrath; do not send punishment on me in the heat of your passion.

O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger, or discipline me in your wrath.

<<To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. On an eight–stringed harp. A Psalm of David.>> O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments, according to the sheminith style; ²  a psalm of David. Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger! Do not discipline me in your raging fury! ³ 

¹ sn Psalm 6. The psalmist begs the Lord to withdraw his anger and spare his life. Having received a positive response to his prayer, the psalmist then confronts his enemies and describes how they retreat.

² tn The meaning of the Hebrew term שְׁמִינִית (shÿminit, “sheminith”) is uncertain; perhaps it refers to a particular style of music. See 1 Chr 15:21.

³ sn The implication is that the psalmist has sinned, causing God to discipline him by bringing a life-threatening illness upon him (see vv. 2-7).