I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
Context
Psalm 39, much like Psalm 38, delves into David's reflections on sin, life's hardships, and his response to God's discipline. Instead of focusing on the actions of the wicked, David directs his attention inward, seeking a renewed awareness of life's fleeting nature. This psalm echoes similar sentiments found in Job 7:16–17 and Psalm 90. While the Bible doesn't explicitly link this psalm to a specific event, many scholars suggest it may have been inspired by David's transgression with Bathsheba, as recounted in 2 Samuel 12:7–9.
Commentary
The Resolve to Guard One's Words (Psalms 39:1-3)
David begins by resolving to carefully guard his words, particularly in the presence of those he considered wicked. This might have been due to fear of providing ammunition to critics or slanderers, or perhaps out of concern that his anger would lead him to speak disrespectfully about God. Proverbs offers much wisdom on controlling the tongue, a skill James emphasizes as particularly challenging (James 3:1-12). David's silence, initially intended as a safeguard, ultimately intensified his inner turmoil. He took his silence too far, even refraining from speaking good. This illustrates a crucial point: we can sin through our silence as well as our words. Knowing when to speak and when to remain silent demands wisdom.
A Prayer for Perspective (Psalms 39:4-7)
As his frustration mounts, David turns to God in prayer. He asks for a deeper understanding of life's brevity and his own limitations. He prays that God would help him understand how short-lived he was (39:4). From God's perspective, life and its troubles appear insignificant. This realization allows David to place his trust in the Lord rather than in other people. In comparison to God, his life span was insignificant. Every human being, in fact, is nothing but a vapor (39:5, 11).
Recognizing Sin and Seeking Forgiveness (Psalms 39:8-11)
Similar to Psalm 38, David expresses remorse for his personal sins. Perhaps his earlier critics were provoked by his mistakes. Rather than complaining, David accepts the situation, acknowledging God as the ultimate source of correction for sin and wrongdoing. In light of such brevity of life (39:4-5) and its uncertainty (39:6), David declares that God is his hope and the one who would rescue him (39:7-8). David also petitioned God to end his discipline and remove the consequences of sin he was enduring (39:10-11).
A Plea for God's Attention and Grace (Psalms 39:12-13)
David pleads with God to not remain silent (39:12)—a contrast to his earlier silence when he should have spoken (39:2, 9). He asks God to hear his cry, not to treat him as a stranger, and to show him favor in the days he has left. David properly notes that he is only passing through this world, with an ultimate destination of eternity. He pleads to be removed from under God's judgment and restored to a condition of joy. He prays that God would hear his cry, not treat him like a stranger, and show him favor in his remaining days.
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
Context
Psalm 39, much like Psalm 38, delves into David's reflections on sin, life's hardships, and his response to God's discipline. Instead of focusing on the actions of the wicked, David directs his attention inward, seeking a renewed awareness of life's fleeting nature. This psalm echoes similar sentiments found in Job 7:16–17 and Psalm 90. While the Bible doesn't explicitly link this psalm to a specific event, many scholars suggest it may have been inspired by David's transgression with Bathsheba, as recounted in 2 Samuel 12:7–9.
Commentary
The Resolve to Guard One's Words (Psalms 39:1-3)
David begins by resolving to carefully guard his words, particularly in the presence of those he considered wicked. This might have been due to fear of providing ammunition to critics or slanderers, or perhaps out of concern that his anger would lead him to speak disrespectfully about God. Proverbs offers much wisdom on controlling the tongue, a skill James emphasizes as particularly challenging (James 3:1-12). David's silence, initially intended as a safeguard, ultimately intensified his inner turmoil. He took his silence too far, even refraining from speaking good. This illustrates a crucial point: we can sin through our silence as well as our words. Knowing when to speak and when to remain silent demands wisdom.
A Prayer for Perspective (Psalms 39:4-7)
As his frustration mounts, David turns to God in prayer. He asks for a deeper understanding of life's brevity and his own limitations. He prays that God would help him understand how short-lived he was (39:4). From God's perspective, life and its troubles appear insignificant. This realization allows David to place his trust in the Lord rather than in other people. In comparison to God, his life span was insignificant. Every human being, in fact, is nothing but a vapor (39:5, 11).
Recognizing Sin and Seeking Forgiveness (Psalms 39:8-11)
Similar to Psalm 38, David expresses remorse for his personal sins. Perhaps his earlier critics were provoked by his mistakes. Rather than complaining, David accepts the situation, acknowledging God as the ultimate source of correction for sin and wrongdoing. In light of such brevity of life (39:4-5) and its uncertainty (39:6), David declares that God is his hope and the one who would rescue him (39:7-8). David also petitioned God to end his discipline and remove the consequences of sin he was enduring (39:10-11).
A Plea for God's Attention and Grace (Psalms 39:12-13)
David pleads with God to not remain silent (39:12)—a contrast to his earlier silence when he should have spoken (39:2, 9). He asks God to hear his cry, not to treat him as a stranger, and to show him favor in the days he has left. David properly notes that he is only passing through this world, with an ultimate destination of eternity. He pleads to be removed from under God's judgment and restored to a condition of joy. He prays that God would hear his cry, not treat him like a stranger, and show him favor in his remaining days.