Psalm 39 — My Hope Is in the LORD
Introduction: I began this study by comparing ten translations of Psalm 39 from my Online Bible, from which I prepared a composite paraphrase. I further investigated some of the terms and phrases through commentaries, by using the Hebrew lexicon, or by comparing similar wording from other passages. My comments and the passages I retained have been interspersed with the paraphrased verses of the subject Psalm. Even after many hours of study and contemplation, I was at a loss to compose a personal prayer from this psalm. During the weeks of preparation I cried out to the Lord asking Him to clear my thoughts. I am still not sure that my work completely satisfies me, but I definitely agree with David: my hope is in the Lord.
Psalm 39:1–2 — Composite Paraphrase
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will muzzle my mouth, while the wicked is in my presence. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was renewed.
Comments: In his thoughts, David determined not to speak at all while in the presence of unbelievers. We are not told why he thought he had to completely muzzle his mouth to avoid sin, but the result was clearly not satisfying to him because his “sorrow was renewed.” Our Lord Jesus knew everything that Christians would face, and prayed for us, John 17:15 “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” As Solomon said, Ecclesiastes 3 “1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 7 a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” In the case of our subject psalm, David begins to accept in his burning heart that his silence has only prolonged and increased his sorrow, with no glory to the Lord. His silence had potential for withholding good, and such withholding can be sin. James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
Psalm 39:3 — Composite Paraphrase
My heart was hot within me, while I was deep in thought the fire burned: then I spoke with my tongue.
Comments: David’s contemplation in silence caused him to burn within, not unlike Jeremiah centuries later. Jeremiah 20 “9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” Psalms 32 “3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” Jesus still offers to provide the Christian of today with relief from burdens of the soul, Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Psalm 39:4–6 — Composite Paraphrase
4 LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how temporary and short-lived I am. 5 Behold, you have made my days as a handbreadth; and my lifetime is as nothing before you: truly every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. 6 Surely every man walks as a mere semblance; surely for vanity they are in turmoil: he heaps up riches, and knows not who shall get them.
Comments: David reflects on his insignificance before the eternal God of all creation. Psalm 103 “13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” James 4:14 “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” How empty is even the diligent pursuit of temporal, earthly comfort and riches! Jeremiah 9 “23 Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD.” Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Psalm 39:7–10 — Composite Paraphrase
7 And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you! 8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not set me forth as the reproach of the fool. 9 I was dumb; I did not open my mouth, because you had done it. 10 Remove your stroke from me; I am consumed by the blow of your hand.
Comments: David seems now to be bringing his thoughts to the remembrance that he has a different hope that is seen only through faith; because whatever material gain he has from this present world, he cannot retain. Lamentations 3 “24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Romans 8 “24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope. 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” David continues to speak to his God, as in other psalms. Psalm 86 “15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Isaiah 25:1 “O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”
Psalm 39:11–13 — Composite Paraphrase
11 When you correct man with rebukes for iniquity you make his desires to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah. 12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; do not be silent at my tears: for I am a stranger with you, and a sojourner, as were all my fathers. 13 Let your wrath be turned away from me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
Comments: All desires of earthly treasures which may be seen as beautiful will be so fleeting as the beauty of a moth or butterfly. But the Lord offers more than fleeting life. Proverbs 1 “7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” Lamentations 3 “39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? 40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. 41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.” Now that David has broken his own silence, he lifts up his heart unto God, asking that God not be silent, but provide an answer to his cry. David asks that his prayer be heard, not because of his ancestry or achievements, but he appeals to God’s own righteousness, understanding that no person can claim to be without sin. Hebrews 11 “8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed. 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Christians anywhere in the world should look to the future in expectation of an everlasting dwelling place with our Savior. 2 Corinthians 4:18–5:1 “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
Reflections in Prayer
My hope is in the Lord. Guide me my Lord to set a guard on my mouth; but not to muzzle it to the point of withholding good that would praise you, especially before those yet dead in their sin. When I feel any flicker of inner fire for you, help me Lord to refrain from quenching your Spirit within me. Remind me Lord that my days are as short as just a handbreadth, or like a morning vapor gone before mid-day. A life that is filled with the most prized worldly treasures is a shadow, and even reaching the highest pinnacle of achievement among men is emptiness before you. All vestiges of wealth and fame are undeniably left with others when our spirit departs the body, and it returns to dust. And now Lord, do I really wait for you? Yes! My hope can be placed firmly, in none other than you.
Deliver me from all my transgressions, for they are many and you alone can deliver. There was absolutely nothing I could say in my defense when you uncovered my guilt, so my plea is that you remove your hand from me in your grace before I am consumed. I know full well that your correction can make even the greatest glory of my life like that of a fleeting moth. Hear my prayer O Lord, for I desire citizenship in heaven rather than anywhere in this world, where I am now a stranger. Apply your mercy to me so I will have the strength of confidence in your salvation, before my soul is separated from this mortal body. My hope is in the Lord!
Published 3 June 2004, first issued 27 February 2004