Psalms
Summary
Psalm 39 is a sombre meditation on the vanity and brevity of human life. David resolves to "keep my mouth with a bridle" to avoid sinning with his tongue, but his internal fire burns until he cries out to God to "make me know my end." He acknowledges that "every man at his best state is altogether vanity," and that we are the shadows chasing wealth we cannot keep. David identifies himself as a "stranger" and a "sojourner" with God, pleading for a moment of relief and strength before he passes away. It is an honest reflection on the fragility of existence in the light of God's correction.
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 spoke I with my tongue,
"LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am."
Behold, you have made my days as a handbreadth; and my age is as nothing before you; truly every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
Surely every man walks in a vain show; surely they are disquieted in vain; he heaps up riches and knows not who shall gather them.
And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.
Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the foolish.
I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because you did it.
Remove your stroke away from me; I am consumed by the blow of your hand.
When you with rebukes correct man for iniquity, you make his beauty to consume away like a moth; surely every man is vanity. Selah.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears; for I am a stranger with you, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence and be no more.