Again the circumstances are sorrow and affliction. The attitude of the sufferer is true dignity. If the psalm be taken in connection with the preceding one, it marks an advance, perhaps a gain out of that experience. Then we saw a man crying out for Jehovah and His help. Here is a man still undergoing trial and acutely conscious of it, but he has found the secret place of communion and this conditions his attitudes. Toward his foes he maintains a great silence, the secret of which he presently declares, "I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because Thou didst it." Yet the things he sees strangely stir him and at last he breaks the silence.
As he compares his lot of suffering with the prosperity of the wicked, the Psalmist is tempted to murmur, and resolves to meet the temptation by silence. But the fire of emotion refuses to be suppressed (v. 1-3). He is forced to seek relief in prayer that he may be taught to understand the transitoriness of human life and the vanity of worldly aims (v. 4-6). Thus he is brought to feel that his only hope is in The LORD, to Whom he turns in silent resignation (V. 7-9). Then, pleading the frailty and the shortness of human life, he prays for relief and respite (v. 10-13).
To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. 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.
Psalms 39:2
I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
Psalms 39:3
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
Psalms 39:4
LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
Psalms 39:5
Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
Psalms 39:6
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
Psalms 39:7
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Psalms 39:8
Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
Psalms 39:9
I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
Psalms 39:10
Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
Psalms 39:11
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.
Psalms 39:12
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
Psalms 39:13
O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
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