Psalm Thirty Nine

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

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To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.

Jeduthun. “Jeduthun” means “Choir of Praise.” It occurs also in the titles of Psalms 62 and 77. Jeduthun is also identified as one of David's chief musicians, Ethan, in 1 Chronicles 15:17.

Psalm 39:1 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.

Psalm 39:2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

Psalm 39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

Psalm 39:4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

measure of my days. David, who “died in a good old age” (1 Chronicles 29:28), considered his “days as an handbreadth” (Psalm 39:5). Moses, who lived to age 120 (Deuteronomy 34:7), considered his age “as a tale that is told” (Psalm 90:9). See notes on Psalm 90:4, 10, 12.

Psalm 39:5 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

Psalm 39:6 Surely every man walketh in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

Psalm 39:7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

Psalm 39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

Psalm 39:9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.

Psalm 39:10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.

Psalm 39:11 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

Psalm 39:12 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.

Psalm 39:13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.