Psalms 39:10

10 But I can't take it much longer. When you put us through the fire

Psalms 39:10 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 39:10

Remove thy stroke away from me
The psalmist still considers his affliction as coming from the hand of God, as his stroke upon him, and which lay as a heavy burden on him, and which God only could remove; and to him he applies for the removal of it, who is to be sought unto by his people to do such things for them; nor is such an application any ways contrary to that silence and patience before expressed;

I am consumed by the blow of thine hand;
meaning either that his flesh was consumed by his affliction, which came from the hand of God, or he should be consumed if he did not remove it: he could not bear up under it, but must sink and die; if he continued to strive and contend with him, his spirit would fail before him, and the soul that he had made; and therefore he entreats he would remember he was but dust, and remove his hand from him; for this is a reason enforcing the preceding petition.

Psalms 39:10 In-Context

8 You'll save me from a rebel life, save me from the contempt of dunces.

9 I'll say no more, I'll shut my mouth, since you, Lord, are behind all this.

10 But I can't take it much longer. When you put us through the fire

11 to purge us from our sin, our dearest idols go up in smoke. Are we also nothing but smoke?

12 "Ah, God, listen to my prayer, my cry - open your ears. Don't be callous; just look at these tears of mine. I'm a stranger here. I don't know my way - a migrant like my whole family.