Psalms 6:8 (KJV)

What does Psalms 6:8 mean?

Psalms 6:8 shows the psalmist telling those who do evil to leave him, because he is confident that the LORD has heard his cries and prayers. The verse expresses a turning point from sorrow to hope, as the speaker believes God has listened to his weeping.

In this psalm, David is speaking, likely during a time of distress or persecution. He addresses his enemies—called "workers of iniquity"—and tells them to depart, showing his renewed confidence that God is on his side. The verse marks a shift from earlier verses of deep anguish to assurance that God has heard his suffering.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 6:8

• "Depart" (סוּרוּ, suru): This word is a command to go away or turn aside, showing David’s boldness in telling evildoers to leave him now that he feels God’s support.
• "Workers" (פָּעַל, pa‘al): This word means "doers" or "makers," emphasizing that these people are actively engaged in wrongdoing, not just occasionally sinning.
• "Iniquity" (אָוֶן, ’aven): This word refers to evil, trouble, or wickedness, highlighting the moral seriousness of what these people are doing.
• "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, underscoring David’s relationship with the God of Israel.
• "Heard" (שָׁמַע, shama‘): This means to listen or pay attention, stressing that God is not distant but responsive to David’s cries.
• "Voice" (קוֹל, qol): This word means sound or cry, making it clear that David’s emotional outpouring is what God has noticed.
• "Weeping" (בֶּכִי, bekhi): This refers to crying or lamentation, showing the depth of David’s distress that God has now acknowledged.

Why Psalms 6:8 matters

• Psalms 6:8 clears up the idea that God is unmoved by human suffering; instead, it shows that God listens to heartfelt cries, even when they come from a place of deep pain.
• The verse marks a shift in the psalm from despair to hope, helping readers see that prayer and honest emotion can lead to renewed confidence in God.
• By calling out the "workers of iniquity," David draws a line between those who oppose him and his trust in God, highlighting the theme of God’s justice and personal care in the wider psalm.