תהלים, פרק ו׳, פסוק ז׳

Deep physical and emotional pain can drain a person of all energy, leaving them in a state of total exhaustion. A severe illness combined with endless crying creates a heavy burden, where even the simple act of sighing exacts a terrible physical toll. The primary approach among commentators is that this immense weakness stems directly from the suffering; the constant worry, crying, and sighing over the illness completely drain King David of his strength. However, a spiritual perspective suggests a different kind of exhaustion. In this view, he used his remaining energy to toil in Torah study despite his severe pain, hoping to subdue his physical body and gain forgiveness for his past wrongs [תורה תמימה, אלשיך].

This outpouring of grief happens specifically at night. Darkness often magnifies suffering, making the symptoms of illness feel much heavier and more intense. Furthermore, the night provides a veil of privacy. While the rest of the household sleeps, he can weep freely without anyone witnessing his pain [רד״ק, מאירי].

The tears soak his resting place, which is described in two distinct ways. One description refers to a standard bed used for everyday sleep, while the other points to a specialized structure built specifically for the sick, women, or children [מלבי״ם]. Alternatively, the first concept refers to the outer frame of the bed, while the second indicates the exact spot where his aching body lies [אלשיך].

The flow of tears over this resting place is so massive that it affects his surroundings in extreme ways. One approach suggests he sheds so many tears that his bed actually floats and swims on the water [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון]. Another view explains that the tears act as a thorough washing of the bed [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מאירי]. A third perspective explains that the sheer volume of tears and grief makes his sleeping area completely repulsive and disgusting to him [רש״י, מלבי״ם, מאירי]. He wets his bed until it feels as though the furniture itself is melting and dissolving away [רש״י, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת ציון]. Naturally, these extreme images of a floating or melting bed are deliberate exaggerations, used to capture the overwhelming intensity of his sadness [רד״ק, מאירי].

Yet, in the midst of this terrible physical decline and endless weeping, the illness is not his primary source of grief. The deepest pain actually comes from his enemies and oppressors, whose cruel actions make his suffering far worse than the disease itself [מלבי״ם].