Psalms 39

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

1 [a]I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.”
2 So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased;
3 my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Show me, LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.[b]
6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
8 Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.
9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.
10 Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
11 When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth— surely everyone is but a breath.
12 “Hear my prayer, LORD, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.”

Images for Psalms 39

Cross References 39

  • 1. 1 Kings 2:4; Psalms 119:9,59; Proverbs 20:11
  • 2. Job 2:10; S Job 1:22; Psalms 34:13; James 3:2
  • 3. S Job 6:24; James 1:26
  • 4. ver 9; S Job 31:34; Psalms 77:4; Psalms 38:13
  • 5. Psalms 6:3; S Psalms 25:17; Psalms 31:10
  • 6. Luke 24:32
  • 7. Psalms 1:2; Psalms 48:9; Psalms 77:12; Psalms 119:15
  • 8. Jeremiah 5:14; Jeremiah 20:9; Jeremiah 23:29
  • 9. S Job 14:5; Psalms 90:12
  • 10. S Job 14:2
  • 11. S Genesis 47:9; S Job 7:7; Psalms 103:14
  • 12. S Job 10:20; Psalms 89:45; Psalms 102:23
  • 13. S Job 7:7; Psalms 62:9
  • 14. Job 8:9; Psalms 102:11; Ecclesiastes 6:12; S James 4:14; 1 Peter 1:24
  • 15. James 1:11
  • 16. Psalms 127:2
  • 17. S Job 27:17
  • 18. Luke 12:20
  • 19. S Psalms 9:18; S Psalms 25:5; Psalms 38:15
  • 20. Psalms 6:4; Psalms 51:14; Psalms 51:9
  • 21. Psalms 32:1; Psalms 51:1; Isa 53:5,8,10; Psalms 44:13
  • 22. S Deuteronomy 28:37; Psalms 69:7; Psalms 79:4; Isaiah 43:28; Daniel 9:16
  • 23. S ver 2
  • 24. Psalms 38:13; Job 2:10
  • 25. Isaiah 38:15
  • 26. 2 Chronicles 21:14; Ezekiel 7:9; Ezekiel 24:16
  • 27. S Exodus 9:3; Job 9:34; Psalms 32:4
  • 28. S Deuteronomy 28:20; Isaiah 66:15; Ezekiel 5:15; 2 Peter 2:16
  • 29. Psalms 94:10; Isaiah 26:16
  • 30. Psalms 90:7
  • 31. S Job 13:28; S Isaiah 51:8; Luke 12:33; S James 5:2
  • 32. S Job 7:7
  • 33. S Psalms 17:1
  • 34. S Deuteronomy 1:45
  • 35. S 2 Kings 20:5
  • 36. Leviticus 25:23; 1 Peter 2:11
  • 37. S Genesis 23:4; S Hebrews 11:13
  • 38. S Genesis 47:9; S 1 Chronicles 29:15
  • 39. S Job 10:21; Job 14:10

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.
  • [b]. The Hebrew has "Selah" (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.

Psalms 39 Commentaries

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