Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The turning point here isn't just that God heard his prayer, but that the sound of his weeping itself was heard. This highlights that God doesn't just hear our words, but deeply perceives and responds to the raw, often unspoken anguish and earnestness behind our cries. It's a profound assurance that even our deepest sorrow, when brought before Him, becomes a communication God hears.
Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After pouring out his anguish and grief in the preceding verses, the psalmist suddenly shifts from lament to confidence, no longer focusing on his suffering but on God's deliverance. He turns to address his enemies, those who have mocked and perhaps taunted him during his distress, boldly declaring they must leave because the Lord has heard his earnest, tear-filled prayers. This newfound assurance stems from an inner conviction that God has received his pleas, signaling an imminent turn from sorrow to victory.
Have you ever felt like the world, or even people close to you, were pressuring you to give up on hope? David's enemies certainly did.
In this verse, David's tone shifts dramatically. After pouring out his heart in sorrow (as we see in the preceding verses), he suddenly addresses his enemies with powerful words: "Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!" This isn't just a casual request; it's a declaration born from a profound shift within him.
His enemies, the "workers of iniquity," likely mocked him, perhaps even upbraided him for his suffering, possibly attributing it to his own sin. They wanted him to despair, to believe he was lost and forgotten by God. But David, even in his deep distress, had a connection with God that his enemies couldn't comprehend.
He tells them to leave because the situation has fundamentally changed: "for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping." This assurance from God, that his sincere, anguished cry has been heard, completely undercuts the enemies' power over him. Their accusations and mockery lose their sting when the victim knows he has divine favor.
What does it mean for God to 'hear the sound of my weeping'? It's more than just an auditory experience.
David's declaration, 'the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping,' is packed with meaning. It signifies not just that God registered the noise of his cries, but that He deeply perceived and responded to the anguish behind them.
More Than Just Tears
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This verse is a powerful reminder that God doesn't just passively observe our suffering. He actively listens to the cries of His people, and His hearing them is the basis for our confidence and eventual triumph.
Life can feel stuck in a downward spiral. But Scripture shows us that God can bring about sudden, unexpected turns.
The transition in Psalm 6 from profound despair to confident command is remarkably swift. This sudden change is a hallmark of God's intervention.
The Lord's Sudden Turn
This concept reminds us that even when our situation feels permanent and bleak, God can bring about a radical change, often in ways we least expect. His timing and methods are His own, but His faithfulness to the prayers of His people is certain.
Understand the original words
pa'al 'aven · Hebrew Phrase
Those who actively perform wickedness or practice iniquity. In the biblical worldview, these individuals stand in contrast to the righteous and face divine judgment.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of God (Yahweh), the self-existent One who is faithful to His promises. It is the name through which God reveals Himself as Savior and Redeemer to His people.
This passage directly quotes the phrase 'workers of iniquity,' highlighting the same judgment against those who practice evil, reinforcing the psalmist's declaration.
Luke 13:27Jesus uses the phrase 'all you workers of iniquity' when speaking of those who will be cast out, echoing the psalmist's powerful rejection of evildoers.
Isaiah 65:24This prophetic passage offers a striking parallel, showing God responding to prayers 'before they call' and 'while they are still speaking,' mirroring the immediate assurance David felt that his weeping was heard.
Romans 8:26This verse speaks of the Spirit interceding for us with 'groanings too deep for words,' which beautifully aligns with David's 'voice of my weeping' being heard by the Lord, indicating that God understands even our inarticulate cries.
Psalms 30:5This psalm speaks of weeping enduring for a night, but joy coming in the morning, providing a powerful thematic link to David's transition from deep sorrow to confident assertion that his prayer has been heard.
calvinPsalms 6:8-10: "Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping."
- Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. 9. The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive [91] my prayer. 10. Let all mine enemies be put to shame and greatly confounded; let them turn back, and be ashamed suddenly. [92]
After David has disburdened his griefs and troubles into the bosom of God, he now, as it were, assu…
clarkePsalms 6:8: "Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping."
Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity - It seems that while he was suffering grievously through the disease, his enemies had insulted and mocked him; - upbraided him with his transgressions, not to increase his penitence, but to cast him into despair. The Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping - The Lord pitifully beheld the sorrows of his heart, and mercifully forgave his sins.
The turning point here isn't just that God heard his prayer, but that the sound of his weeping itself was heard. This highlights that God doesn't just hear our words, but deeply perceives and responds to the raw, often unspoken anguish and earnestness behind our cries. It's a profound assurance that even our deepest sorrow, when brought before Him, becomes a communication God hears.
After pouring out his anguish and grief in the preceding verses, the psalmist suddenly shifts from lament to confidence, no longer focusing on his suffering but on God's deliverance. He turns to address his enemies, those who have mocked and perhaps taunted him during his distress, boldly declaring they must leave because the Lord has heard his earnest, tear-filled prayers. This newfound assurance stems from an inner conviction that God has received his pleas, signaling an imminent turn from sorrow to victory.
After pouring out his anguish and grief in the preceding verses, the psalmist suddenly shifts from lament to confidence, no longer focusing on his suffering but on God's deliverance. He turns to address his enemies, those who have mocked and perhaps taunted him during his distress, boldly declaring they must leave because the Lord has heard his earnest, tear-filled prayers. This newfound assurance stems from an inner conviction that God has received his pleas, signaling an imminent turn from sorrow to victory.
"Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping." — The turning point here isn't just that God heard his prayer, but that the sound of his weeping itself was heard. This highlights that God doesn't just hear our words, but deeply perceives and respo…
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Last reviewed October 2026