Psalms 39:1-8

1 I said, "I will be careful how I act and will not sin by what I say. I will be careful what I say around wicked people."

2 So I kept very quiet. I didn't even say anything good, but I became even more upset.

3 I became very angry inside, and as I thought about it, my anger burned. So I spoke:

4 "Lord, tell me when the end will come and how long I will live. Let me know how long I have.

5 You have given me only a short life; my lifetime is like nothing to you. Everyone's life is only a breath.Selah

6 People are like shadows moving about. All their work is for nothing; they collect things but don't know who will get them.

7 "So, Lord, what hope do I have? You are my hope.

8 Save me from all my sins. Don't let wicked fools make fun of me.

Psalms 39:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician, [even] to Jeduthun, a Psalm of David. Some take Jeduthun to be the name of a musical instrument, as Jarchi, on which, and others the first word of a song, to the tune of which, this psalm was sung, as Aben Ezra; though it seems best, with Kimchi and others, to understand it as the name of the chief musician, to whom this psalm was sent to be made use of in public service; since Jeduthun was, with his sons, appointed by David to prophesy with harps and psalteries, and to give praise and thanks unto the Lord, 1 Chronicles 16:41; he is the same with Ethan {s}. The occasion of it is thought, by some, to be the rebellion of his son Absalom; so Theodoret thinks it was written when he fled from Absalom, and was cursed by Shimei; or rather it may be some sore affliction, which lay upon David for the chastisement of him; see Psalm 39:9; and the argument of the psalm seems to be much the same with that of the preceding one, as Kimchi observes.

{s} Vid. Hiller. Onomastic. Sacr. p. 513, 805.