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Summary

Psalm 39:1–3 – Guarded speech What happens: The psalmist keeps silent before the wicked, but the fire burns within. What it means: Self-control restrains rash words. Wisdom knows when to be quiet.

Psalm 39:4–6 – Life is a breath What happens: He asks to know his end; human life is a handbreadth and a breath; people heap wealth without knowing who will gather. What it means: Mortality humbles pride. Earthly gain is temporary and cannot secure life.

Psalm 39:7–11 – Discipline and hope What happens: His hope is in God; he asks for deliverance from sin as God disciplines him. What it means: God corrects for our good. Holiness matters more than comfort.

Psalm 39:12–13 – Sojourner’s plea What happens: As a stranger before God, he asks for relief before he departs. What it means: We are pilgrims on earth. Mercy sustains us until we see God.

Application

  • Weigh your words in tension and grief.
  • Live mindful of brevity and eternity.
  • Seek holiness through God’s fatherly correction.

Bible

1To 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.

2I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

3My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

4LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

5Behold, 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.

6Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

7And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

8Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

9I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.

10Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.

11When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

12Hear 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.

13O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

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