13 O spare H8159 me, that I may recover strength, H1082 before I go hence, H3212 and be no more.
Are not my days H3117 few? H4592 cease H2308 H2308 then, and let me alone, H7896 H7896 that I may take comfort H1082 a little, H4592 Before I go H3212 whence I shall not return, H7725 even to the land H776 of darkness H2822 and the shadow of death; H6757
But man H1397 dieth, H4191 and wasteth away: H2522 yea, man H120 giveth up the ghost, H1478 and where is he? As the waters H4325 fail H235 from the sea, H3220 and the flood H5104 decayeth H2717 and drieth up: H3001 So man H376 lieth down, H7901 and riseth H6965 not: till the heavens H8064 be no more, H1115 they shall not awake, H6974 nor be raised out H5782 of their sleep. H8142
And Jacob H3290 their father H1 said H559 unto them, Me have ye bereaved H7921 of my children: Joseph H3130 is not, and Simeon H8095 is not, and ye will take H3947 Benjamin H1144 away: all these things are against me.
How long H4100 wilt thou not depart H8159 from me, nor let me alone H7503 till I swallow down H1104 my spittle? H7536
Seeing H518 his days H3117 are determined, H2782 the number H4557 of his months H2320 are with thee, thou hast appointed H6213 his bounds H2706 that he cannot pass; H5674 Turn H8159 from him, that he may rest, H2308 till he shall accomplish, H7521 as an hireling, H7916 his day. H3117
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 39
Commentary on Psalms 39 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 39
Ps 39:1-13. To Jeduthun (1Ch 16:41, 42), one of the chief singers. His name mentioned, perhaps, as a special honor. Under depressing views of his frailty and the prosperity of the wicked, the Psalmist, tempted to murmur, checks the expression of his feelings, till, led to regard his case aright, he prays for a proper view of his condition and for the divine compassion.
1. I said—or, "resolved."
will take heed—watch.
ways—conduct, of which the use of the tongue is a part (Jas 1:26).
bridle—literally, "muzzle for my mouth" (compare De 25:4).
while … before me—in beholding their prosperity (Ps 37:10, 36).
2. even from good—(Ge 31:24), everything.
3. His emotions, as a smothered flame, burst forth.
4-7. Some take these words as those of fretting, but they are not essentially such. The tinge of discontent arises from the character of his suppressed emotions. But, addressing God, they are softened and subdued.
make me to know mine end—experimentally appreciate.
how frail I am—literally, "when I shall cease."
5, 6. His prayer is answered in his obtaining an impressive view of the vanity of the life of all men, and their transient state. Their pomp is a mere image, and their wealth is gathered they know not for whom.
7. The interrogation makes the implied negative stronger. Though this world offers nothing to our expectation, God is worthy of all confidence.
8-10. Patiently submissive, he prays for the removal of his chastisement, and that he may not be a reproach.
11. From his own case, he argues to that of all, that the destruction of man's enjoyments is ascribable to sin.
12, 13. Consonant with the tenor of the Psalm, he prays for God's compassionate regard to him as a stranger here; and that, as such was the condition of his fathers, so, like them, he may be cheered instead of being bound under wrath and chastened in displeasure.