1 [[To the chief Musician, H5329 even to Jeduthun, H3038 A Psalm H4210 of David.]] H1732 I said, H559 I will take heed H8104 to my ways, H1870 that I sin H2398 not with my tongue: H3956 I will keep H8104 my mouth H6310 with a bridle, H4269 while the wicked H7563 is before me.
2 I was dumb H481 with silence, H1747 I held my peace, H2814 even from good; H2896 and my sorrow H3511 was stirred. H5916
3 My heart H3820 was hot H2552 within H7130 me, while I was musing H1901 the fire H784 burned: H1197 then H227 spake H1696 I with my tongue, H3956
4 LORD, H3068 make me to know H3045 mine end, H7093 and the measure H4060 of my days, H3117 what it is; that I may know H3045 how frail H2310 I am.
5 Behold, thou hast made H5414 my days H3117 as an handbreadth; H2947 and mine age H2465 is as nothing before thee: verily every H3605 man H120 at his best state H5324 is altogether H3605 vanity. H1892 Selah. H5542
6 Surely every man H376 walketh H1980 in a vain shew: H6754 surely they are disquieted H1993 in vain: H1892 he heapeth up H6651 riches, and knoweth H3045 not who shall gather H622 them.
7 And now, Lord, H136 what wait H6960 I for? my hope H8431 is in thee.
8 Deliver H5337 me from all my transgressions: H6588 make H7760 me not the reproach H2781 of the foolish. H5036
9 I was dumb, H481 I opened H6605 not my mouth; H6310 because thou didst H6213 it.
10 Remove H5493 thy stroke H5061 away H5493 from me: I am consumed H3615 by the blow H8409 of thine hand. H3027
11 When thou with rebukes H8433 dost correct H3256 man H376 for iniquity, H5771 thou makest his beauty H2530 to consume away H4529 like a moth: H6211 surely every man H120 is vanity. H1892 Selah. H5542
12 Hear H8085 my prayer, H8605 O LORD, H3068 and give ear H238 unto my cry; H7775 hold not thy peace H2790 at my tears: H1832 for I am a stranger H1616 with thee, and a sojourner, H8453 as all my fathers H1 were.
13 O spare H8159 me, that I may recover strength, H1082 before I go hence, H3212 and be no more.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 39
Commentary on Psalms 39 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 39
Ps 39:1-13. To Jeduthun (1Ch 16:41, 42), one of the chief singers. His name mentioned, perhaps, as a special honor. Under depressing views of his frailty and the prosperity of the wicked, the Psalmist, tempted to murmur, checks the expression of his feelings, till, led to regard his case aright, he prays for a proper view of his condition and for the divine compassion.
1. I said—or, "resolved."
will take heed—watch.
ways—conduct, of which the use of the tongue is a part (Jas 1:26).
bridle—literally, "muzzle for my mouth" (compare De 25:4).
while … before me—in beholding their prosperity (Ps 37:10, 36).
2. even from good—(Ge 31:24), everything.
3. His emotions, as a smothered flame, burst forth.
4-7. Some take these words as those of fretting, but they are not essentially such. The tinge of discontent arises from the character of his suppressed emotions. But, addressing God, they are softened and subdued.
make me to know mine end—experimentally appreciate.
how frail I am—literally, "when I shall cease."
5, 6. His prayer is answered in his obtaining an impressive view of the vanity of the life of all men, and their transient state. Their pomp is a mere image, and their wealth is gathered they know not for whom.
7. The interrogation makes the implied negative stronger. Though this world offers nothing to our expectation, God is worthy of all confidence.
8-10. Patiently submissive, he prays for the removal of his chastisement, and that he may not be a reproach.
11. From his own case, he argues to that of all, that the destruction of man's enjoyments is ascribable to sin.
12, 13. Consonant with the tenor of the Psalm, he prays for God's compassionate regard to him as a stranger here; and that, as such was the condition of his fathers, so, like them, he may be cheered instead of being bound under wrath and chastened in displeasure.