Psalms 39:8

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Make me not the scorn of the fool!

Psalms 39:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 39:8

Deliver me from all my transgressions
Which were the cause and occasion of all his distresses, inward and outward; and the deliverance prayed for includes a freedom from the dominion of sin, which is by the power of efficacious grace; and from the guilt of sin, which is by the application of the blood of Christ; and from obligation to punishment for it, or deliverance from wrath to come, which is through Christ's being made a curse, and enduring wrath in the room and stead of his people; and from the very being of sin, which, though it cannot be expected in this life, is desirable: and the psalmist prays that he might be delivered from "all" his transgressions; knowing: that if one of them was left to have dominion over him, or the guilt of it to lie upon him, and he be obliged to undergo due punishment for it, he must be for ever miserable;

make me not the reproach of the foolish;
of a Nabal; meaning not any particular person; as Esau, according to Jarchi; or Absalom, as others; but every foolish man, that is, a wicked man; such who deny the being and providence of God, make a mock at sin, and scoff at the saints: and the sense of the psalmist is, that the Lord would keep him from sinning, and deliver him out of all his afflictions, on account of which he was reproached by wicked men.

Psalms 39:8 In-Context

6 Surely man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nought are they in turmoil; man heaps up, and knows not who will gather!
7 "And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in thee.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Make me not the scorn of the fool!
9 I am dumb, I do not open my mouth; for it is thou who hast done it.
10 Remove thy stroke from me; I am spent by the blows of thy hand.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.