Psalm 39:1-13 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.… The old question of the retributive justice of God lies at the bottom of this psalm. Why should the righteous be afflicted and the wicked prosper, since the sins of the latter are greater and more numerous than those of the former? But he has determined that he will not discuss his difficulties before the wicked, lest he should seem to complain of the Divine ways. But when he can no longer restrain speech, this is what he says, in which we have two main divisions of thought. I. AN AFFLICTED MAN'S PERPLEXITIES. (Vers. 1-6.) 1. He wishes to know when his sufferings shall come to an end - in death. (Ver. 4.) 2. He is deeply impressed that human life should be so brief and fleeting. (Ver. 5.) Man is but a breath, so that it seems scarcely worth while to live. 3. The restless exertions which men make here are to no purpose. (Ver. 6.) Men are but fleeting shadows, and all that they seek for is evanescent; they are troubled in vain. II. THE AFFLICTED MAN'S HOPE. (Vers. 7-13.) In God. 1. The good man is waiting for God. (Ver. 7.) To unfold his purpose toward him more fully. 2. To be delivered from all his transgressions. (Ver. 8.) 3. His hope in God teaches him self-restraint. (Ver. 9.) 4. Teaches him to pray for the Divine mercy to remove his sufferings. (Ver. 10.) 5. He pleads for mercy because of the brevity of his life. (Ver. 12.) A stranger, "one who is but a passing guest;" a sojourner, "one who settles for a time in a country, but is not a native of it." 6. And because it is near its close, (Ver. 13.) I shall soon be no more. Help before it is too late for help. Such faith in God, with such views of this life as being all, is something marvellous, when compared with our faith in him, who believe in an immortal life. - S. Parallel Verses KJV: {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. |
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