← Chapter 38 Chapter 40 →

Lutheran reading notes

In Psalms chapter 39, the wisdom literature continues to explore prayer, worship, lament, praise, and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.

Theme: Wisdom, prayer, and faithful living Key people: Wise figures Key place: Israel Liturgical use: Wisdom lections
1 [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. {my mouth...: Heb. a bridle, or, muzzle for my mouth}
Psalms 39:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, {even} from good; and my sorrow was stirred. {stirred: Heb. troubled}
Psalms 39:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: {then} spake I with my tongue,
Psalms 39:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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}. {how...: or, what time I have here}
Psalms 39:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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. {at...: Heb. settled}
Psalms 39:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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. {a vain...: Heb. an image}
Psalms 39:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope {is} in thee.
Psalms 39:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
Psalms 39:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst {it}.
Psalms 39:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. {blow: Heb. conflict}
Psalms 39:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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. {his...: Heb. that which is to be desired in him to melt away}
Psalms 39:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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 39:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
Psalms 39:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.