39 1 David uttereth with what great grief and bitterness of mind he was driven to these outrageous complaints of his infirmities. 2 For he confesseth that when he had determined silence, that he brast forth yet into words, that he would not, through the greatness of his grief. 4 Then he rehearseth certain requests which taste of the infirmity of man. 8 And mixeth with them many prayers: but all do show a mind wonderfully trembled, that it may plainly appear how he did strive mightily against death and desperation.

To the excellent Musician [a]Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

I thought, [b]I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth bridled, while the wicked is in my sight.

I was dumb and spake nothing: I kept silence even from good, [c]and my sorrow was more stirred.

Mine heart was hot within me, and while I was musing, the fire kindled, and I [d]spake with my tongue, saying,

Lord, let me know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: let me know how long I have to live.

Behold, thou hast made my days as an hand breadth, and mine age as nothing in respect of thee: surely every man in his best state is altogether [e]vanity. Selah.

Doubtless man walketh in a shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain: he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.

And now Lord, what wait I for? mine hope is even in thee.

Deliver me from all my transgressions, and make me not a rebuke unto the [f]foolish.

I should have been dumb, and not have opened my mouth, because [g]thou didst it.

10 Take thy plague away from me: for I am consumed by the stroke of thine hand.

11 When thou with rebukes dost chastise man for iniquity, thou as a moth [h]makest his [i]beauty to consume: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

12 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and hearken unto my cry: keep not silence at my tears, for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner as all my fathers.

13 Stay thine anger from me, that I may recover my strength, [j]before I go hence and be not.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 39:1 This was one of the chief singers, 1 Chron. 16:41.
  2. Psalm 39:1 Albeit he had appointed with himself patiently to have tarried God’s leisure, yet the vehemency of his pain caused him to break his purpose.
  3. Psalm 39:2 Though when the wicked ruled, he thought to have kept silence, yet his zeal caused him to change his mind.
  4. Psalm 39:3 He confesseth that he grudged against God, considering the greatness of his sorrows, and the shortness of his life.
  5. Psalm 39:5 Yet David offended in that that he reasoned with God as though that he were too severe toward his weak creature.
  6. Psalm 39:8 Make me not a mocking stock to the wicked, or wrap me not up with the wicked, when they are put to shame.
  7. Psalm 39:9 Seeing my troubles came of thy providence, I ought to have endured them patiently.
  8. Psalm 39:11 Though thine open plagues light not evermore upon them, yet thy secret curse continually fretteth them.
  9. Psalm 39:11 The word signifieth all that he desireth, as health, force, strength, beauty, and in whatsoever he hath delight, so that the rod of God taketh away all that is desired in this world.
  10. Psalm 39:13 For his sorrow caused him to think that God would destroy him utterly: whereby we see how hard it is for the very Saints to keep a measure in their words, when death and despair assail them.

Psalm 39[a]

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

I said, “I will watch my ways(A)
    and keep my tongue from sin;(B)
I will put a muzzle on my mouth(C)
    while in the presence of the wicked.”
So I remained utterly silent,(D)
    not even saying anything good.
But my anguish(E) increased;
    my heart grew hot(F) within me.
While I meditated,(G) the fire(H) burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;(I)
    let me know how fleeting(J) my life is.(K)
You have made my days(L) a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,(M)
    even those who seem secure.[b]

“Surely everyone goes around(N) like a mere phantom;(O)
    in vain they rush about,(P) heaping up wealth(Q)
    without knowing whose it will finally be.(R)

“But now, Lord, what do I look for?
    My hope is in you.(S)
Save me(T) from all my transgressions;(U)
    do not make me the scorn(V) of fools.
I was silent;(W) I would not open my mouth,(X)
    for you are the one who has done this.(Y)
10 Remove your scourge from me;
    I am overcome by the blow(Z) of your hand.(AA)
11 When you rebuke(AB) and discipline(AC) anyone for their sin,
    you consume(AD) their wealth like a moth(AE)
    surely everyone is but a breath.(AF)

12 “Hear my prayer, Lord,
    listen to my cry for help;(AG)
    do not be deaf(AH) to my weeping.(AI)
I dwell with you as a foreigner,(AJ)
    a stranger,(AK) as all my ancestors were.(AL)
13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
    before I depart and am no more.”(AM)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 39:1 In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.
  2. Psalm 39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.

62 This Psalm partly containeth meditation, whereby David encourageth himself to trust in God against the assaults of temptations.  And because our minds are easily drawn from God by the allurements of the world, he sharply reproveth this vanity, to the intent he might cleave fast to the Lord.

To the excellent Musician (A)Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

Yet [a]my soul keepeth silence unto God; of him cometh my salvation.

[b]Yet he is my strength and my salvation, and my defense; therefore I shall not much be moved.

How long will ye imagine mischief against a [c]man? ye shall be all slain; ye shall be as a bowed wall, or as a [d]wall shaken.

Yet they consult to cast him down from his dignity; their delight is in lies: they bless with their mouths, but curse with their hearts. Selah.

[e]Yet my soul, keep thou silence unto God: for mine hope is in him.

Yet is he my strength and my salvation, and my defense: therefore I shall not be moved.

In God is my salvation and my [f]glory, the rock of my strength; in God is my trust.

Trust in him always, ye people; [g]pour out your hearts before him, for God is our hope. Selah.

Yet the children of men are vanity, the chief men are liars: to lay them upon a balance they are altogether lighter than vanity.

10 Trust not in oppression nor in robbery: [h]be not vain: if riches increase, set not your heart thereon.

11 God spake [i]once or twice, I have heard it, that power belongeth unto God,

12 And to thee, O Lord, mercy: for thou [j]rewardest everyone according to his work.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 62:1 Though Satan tempted him to murmur against God, yet he bridled his affections, and resting upon God’s promise.
  2. Psalm 62:2 It appeareth by the oft repetition of this word, that the Prophet abode manifold tentations, but by resting on God, and by patience he overcame them all.
  3. Psalm 62:3 He meaneth himself, being the man whom God had appointed to the kingdom.
  4. Psalm 62:3 Though, ye seem to be in honor, yet God will suddenly destroy you.
  5. Psalm 62:5 David was greatly moved with these troubles, therefore he stirreth up himself to trust in God.
  6. Psalm 62:7 These vehement and often repetitions were necessary to strengthen his faith against the horrible assault of Satan.
  7. Psalm 62:8 He admonisheth us of our wicked nature, which rather hide our sorrow and bite on the bridle, than utter our grief to God to obtain remedy.
  8. Psalm 62:10 Give yourselves wholly to God by putting away all things that are contrary to his Law.
  9. Psalm 62:11 He hath plainly borne witness of his power, so that none needeth to doubt thereof.
  10. Psalm 62:12 So that the wicked shall feel thy power, and the godly thy mercy.

Psalm 62[a]

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

Truly my soul finds rest(A) in God;(B)
    my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock(C) and my salvation;(D)
    he is my fortress,(E) I will never be shaken.(F)

How long will you assault me?
    Would all of you throw me down—
    this leaning wall,(G) this tottering fence?
Surely they intend to topple me
    from my lofty place;
    they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
    but in their hearts they curse.[b](H)

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;(I)
    my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God[c];
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.(J)
Trust in him at all times, you people;(K)
    pour out your hearts to him,(L)
    for God is our refuge.

Surely the lowborn(M) are but a breath,(N)
    the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance,(O) they are nothing;
    together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion(P)
    or put vain hope in stolen goods;(Q)
though your riches increase,
    do not set your heart on them.(R)

11 One thing God has spoken,
    two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,(S)
12     and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;(T)
and, “You reward everyone
    according to what they have done.”(U)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 62:1 In Hebrew texts 62:1-12 is numbered 62:2-13.
  2. Psalm 62:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 8.
  3. Psalm 62:7 Or / God Most High is my salvation and my honor

41 And with [a]them were Heman, and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen (which were appointed by names) to praise the Lord, because his mercy endureth forever.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 16:41 With Zadok and the rest of the Priests.

41 With them were Heman(A) and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord, “for his love endures forever.”

Read full chapter