Psalms 39
Psalm 39 is a psalm by David that sings of his weakness and the brevity of life in the midst of suffering, offering deep insight into the human life. He decides to guard his mouth in his hardship, but in the end his inner anguish becomes visible outwardly. David realizes that his life is fleeting and sets his hope only on God. It contains prayers that, while confronting the limits and weakness of life, ask God for grace and forgiveness.
1verseFor 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.”
2verseI was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.
3verseMy heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned. I spoke with my tongue:
4verse“LORD, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.
5verseBehold, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” Selah.
6verse“Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather.
7verseNow, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.
8verseDeliver me from all my transgressions. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.
9verseI was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it.
10verseRemove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
11verseWhen you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, you consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath.” Selah.
12verse“Hear my prayer, LORD, 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.
13verseOh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away and exist no more.”
Structure and Flow
- Verses 1-3: David resolves to be careful with his words in the presence of the wicked, but his inner anguish gradually grows.
- Verses 4-6: He acknowledges his own helplessness as he comes to understand the shortness and emptiness of life.
- Verses 7-11: He proclaims that God alone is the only hope and pleads for forgiveness for sin and for God’s discipline in life.
- Verses 12-13: He urges God to hear his prayer and to show mercy along the path of his life.
Key Message
This psalm sings of the limits and emptiness of human existence and, even within those limits, that God alone is true hope. In the midst of suffering and uncertainty, David honestly lays bare his weakness and teaches you an attitude of faith that seeks to set his heart on God alone.
Points to Ponder
- How do I govern my heart and words in the suffering and uncertainty I experience?
- When I realize the shortness and limitations of my life, what do I hope in?
- Even in hardship, I can reconsider my faith and humility that lead me to God.
Applying This to Me
- In my life today, I pause for a moment to look back on the meaning of my life and the source of my hope.
- I can be careful with my words and actions, and whenever things are difficult, I can honestly tell God how I feel and ask for help.
