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Psalms 39

World English Bible

WEB

1For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.” 2I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred. 3My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned. I spoke with my tongue: 4“Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am. 5Behold, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” Selah. 6“Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather. 7Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you. 8Deliver me from all my transgressions. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish. 9I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it. 10Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand. 11When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, you consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath.” Selah. 12“Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were. 13Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away and exist no more.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Psalms 39 is a poignant reflection on the brevity of life and the importance of humility before God. The psalmist, traditionally attributed to #David, begins by expressing a desire to remain silent in the face of his suffering, indicating a struggle with the weight of his thoughts and emotions. He recognizes that his silence is a form of restraint, as he grapples with the futility of life and the transience of human existence. In verse 4, he earnestly prays, "Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life." This plea highlights the psalmist's awareness of mortality and the need for divine wisdom in understanding the purpose of his days.

As the psalm progresses, the psalmist reflects on the vanity of earthly pursuits, stating that humans are but a mere breath, emphasizing the fleeting nature of wealth and status. He acknowledges that despite his efforts, he cannot control his fate, and this realization leads him to seek refuge in God. In verses 7-8, he declares, "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools." This shift from despair to hope illustrates the psalmist's trust in God's mercy and salvation. The chapter concludes with a heartfelt plea for God’s presence and intervention, reminding us that true fulfillment and understanding come from a relationship with the Creator.

Overall, Psalms 39 serves as a powerful reminder of our mortality, the importance of humility, and the need to place our hope in God rather than in the fleeting things of this world. It encourages believers to reflect on their lives and to seek a deeper relationship with the Lord, who alone can provide meaning and purpose amidst the uncertainties of life.

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Referenced by

  1. Job 7:6v5Job 7:6 describes life as swifter than a weaver's shuttle, a metaphor for life's fleeting nature, similar to Psalm 39:5 which speaks of the brevity of human life.
  2. Job 8:9v5Job 8:9 speaks of the brevity of human life, which is echoed in Psalm 39:5, where life is described as a mere handbreadth.
  3. Job 13:28v11Job 13:28 describes the frailty and decay of human life, a theme also found in Psalm 39:11 where human life is depicted as a mere breath.
  4. Job 17:11v4Job 17:11 reflects on the fleeting nature of life and unfulfilled plans, similar to Psalm 39:4-5, where the psalmist asks God to remind him of the brevity of life.

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