Psalm 39
Geneva Study Bible
<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.
<even to {a} Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.>> I said, {b} 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.

(a) This was one of the chief singers, 1Ch 16:41.

(b) Although he had appointed with himself patiently to have wait for God's timing, yet the vehemency of his pain caused him to break his purpose.

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

(c) Though when the wicked ruled he thought to have kept silence, yet his zeal caused him to change his mind.

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

(d) He confesses that he grudged against God, considering the greatness of his sorrows, and the shortness of his life.

LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.
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.
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 {e} vanity. Selah.

(e) Yet David offended in that he reasoned with God as though he were too severe toward his weak creature.

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.
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.
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the {f} foolish.

(f) Do not make me a laughing stock to the wicked, wrap me up with the wicked when they are put to shame.

I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because {g} thou didst it.

(g) Seeing my troubles came from your providence, I ought to have endured them patiently.

Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
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.
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou {h} makest his {i} beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

(h) Though your open plagues do not light on them forever, yet your secret curse continually frets them.

(i) The word signifies all that he desires, as health, force, strength, beauty, and in whatever he has delight, so that the rod of God takes away all that is desired in this world.

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

(k) For his sorrow caused him to think that God would destroy him completely, by which we see how hard it is for the saints to keep a measure in their words, when death and despair assails them.

The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599]

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