1. Plea for relief 6:1-3

6:1 A more literal translation of this verse would be, "O Lord, not in Your anger rebuke me; not in Your wrath chasten me."By putting the negative first David emphasized the manner of the Lord's discipline. David knew his was no ordinary illness, but God had sent it as the consequence of some sin. He felt God was dealing with him very severely and despaired of enduring much more suffering.

6:2 The king then expressed his request positively. He begged for relief from his extreme discomfort. David spoke of his bones as representing his whole body (cf. 31:10; 32:3; 38:3; 42:10; 102:3, 5).³⁵

6:3 His suffering was not just physical. It had led to the distress of his soul as well. "How long?"expresses the frustration he felt.