39 To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
39:1 I said, “I will guard my ways,
that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,
so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
2 I was mute and silent;
I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
3 My heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “O Lord, make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!
5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing1 they are in turmoil;
man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions.
Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
9 I am mute; I do not open my mouth,
for it is you who have done it.
10 Remove your stroke from me;
I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
11 When you discipline a man
with rebukes for sin,
you consume like a moth what is dear to him;
surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah
12 “Hear my prayer, O Lord,
and give ear to my cry;
hold not your peace at my tears!
For I am a sojourner with you,
a guest, like all my fathers.
13 Look away from me, that I may smile again,
before I depart and am no more!”
Section Overview
There is general agreement that Psalm 39, like Psalm 38, is a lament for a particular member of God’s people. Specifically, the psalm allows those who are suffering to express their bewilderment to God in song. The circumstances of the suffering are left vague, although there is acknowledgment of sin (39:8, 11); the focus is on the way in which suffering can make one mindful of how fleeting is a human life (vv. 4–6, 11–13).
The title refers to David (as many psalms do), as well as to “Jeduthun.” According to 1 Chronicles 16:41–42; 25:1, Jeduthun and Heman were assigned musical functions in the sanctuary, such as playing instruments, composing songs, and leading singing, which indicates that they were from the tribe of Levi (1 Chron. 16:4). The name appears in the titles of Psalms 62 and 77 as well—although there the psalms are according to Jeduthun. (No one is sure whether the variation makes any difference.)
The psalm opens with the singer recounting what he or she has done, with “I” as the chief subject of the verbs (Ps. 39:1–3). Then it moves to addressing the Lord (vv. 4–6) before closing with a prayer for deliverance from transgressions and relief from suffering (vv. 7–13).
Section Outline
I. My Silent Musing (39:1–3)
II. My Fleeting Life (39:4–6)
III. Request for Forgiveness and Relief (39:7–13)
Response
Psalm 39 shares many of the same functions as Psalm 38: it is an individual lament suited for a case in which the person’s troubles bring to mind sins that need to be confessed. The special contribution of this psalm is the stress on the shortness of life and on how that shapes the singing congregation to reaffirm its commitment to faithfulness (cf. comment on 39:4–6). Such meditation on the brevity of life could easily turn morose or dour—but the psalm, rather than going that direction, turns the singers to hope.
Several NT passages aim to put troubles into a similar perspective. For example, in Romans 8:18 Paul insists, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” In 2 Corinthians Paul lists many severe troubles that he has faced in his apostolic work, but he calls them a “light momentary affliction” that “is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17). The audience of 1 Peter must undergo trials, but they are worthwhile to endure in order to inherit the glory prepared for the faithful (1 Pet. 1:6–9). And as James puts it, “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). Hence Christians will benefit from singing Psalm 39!Psalm 39
Psalm 40