Psalm 39:1
I said, "I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present."
I said
This phrase introduces the psalmist's internal dialogue, reflecting a moment of introspection and decision. The Hebrew word for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which often conveys not just speaking but a deep, thoughtful declaration. In the context of the Psalms, it suggests a solemn vow or resolution, indicating the seriousness with which the psalmist approaches the following commitments. This opening sets the tone for a reflective and purposeful meditation.

“I will watch my ways
The phrase "watch my ways" implies a vigilant self-examination and careful conduct. The Hebrew root "שָׁמַר" (shamar) means to guard, keep, or observe. This suggests an active, ongoing effort to monitor one's behavior and choices. In a biblical context, it reflects the wisdom literature's emphasis on living a life that aligns with God's commandments and moral principles. The psalmist's commitment to self-discipline is a call to believers to be mindful of their actions and their alignment with divine will.

so that I will not sin with my tongue
Here, the focus is on the tongue, a small but powerful part of the body that can lead to sin. The Hebrew word for "sin" is "חָטָא" (chata), which means to miss the mark or fall short of God's standards. The psalmist acknowledges the potential for words to cause harm and seeks to avoid this pitfall. This reflects the broader biblical teaching found in James 3:5-6, where the tongue is described as a fire, capable of great destruction. The psalmist's resolve serves as a reminder of the importance of controlling one's speech to maintain righteousness.

I will keep my mouth with a muzzle
The imagery of a muzzle suggests a strong, deliberate restraint. The Hebrew word "מַחְסוֹם" (machsom) refers to a device used to prevent an animal from biting or eating. This metaphor highlights the psalmist's determination to prevent any harmful or sinful words from escaping his lips. It underscores the need for self-control and the conscious effort required to maintain purity in speech. This vivid image serves as a powerful reminder of the discipline needed to uphold one's integrity and faithfulness to God.

as long as the wicked are present.”
The presence of the wicked introduces an external challenge to the psalmist's resolve. The Hebrew word for "wicked" is "רָשָׁע" (rasha), which denotes those who are morally wrong or guilty. Their presence represents a test of the psalmist's commitment to righteousness. This phrase suggests that the psalmist is aware of the influence and provocation that the wicked can exert, and thus, he is even more determined to guard his speech. It highlights the importance of maintaining one's moral and spiritual integrity, even in the face of opposition or temptation. This serves as an encouragement to believers to remain steadfast in their faith, regardless of the surrounding circumstances.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of this psalm, King David, is expressing a personal commitment to self-control, particularly in speech.

2. The Wicked
This refers to those who are unrighteous or morally wrong, whose presence prompts David to be cautious with his words.

3. The Tongue
Symbolic of speech and communication, the tongue is a focal point for self-discipline in this verse.

4. Muzzle
A metaphor for restraint, indicating the need for control over one's speech.

5. Ways
This term refers to one's conduct or behavior, emphasizing the importance of living righteously.
Teaching Points
The Power of Words
Our words have the power to build up or tear down. Like David, we should be intentional about speaking life and truth.

Self-Control in Speech
Practicing self-control, especially in the presence of those who may provoke us, is a mark of spiritual maturity.

Awareness of Influence
Recognize the influence of those around us. The presence of the wicked should prompt us to be even more vigilant in our conduct.

Guarding Against Sin
Sin can easily enter through careless words. We must be proactive in setting boundaries for our speech.

Living with Integrity
Our commitment to righteousness should be evident in our speech, reflecting our inner devotion to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's commitment to guarding his speech challenge you in your daily interactions?

2. In what ways can you apply the metaphor of a "muzzle" to your own life when dealing with difficult people or situations?

3. How do the teachings in James 3 about the tongue complement David's resolve in Psalm 39:1?

4. Reflect on a time when your words either built someone up or tore them down. What did you learn from that experience?

5. How can you cultivate a habit of speaking words that align with the teachings of Ephesians 4:29 in your community or workplace?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 3:2-12
This passage discusses the power of the tongue and the importance of controlling it, echoing David's commitment to guarding his speech.

Proverbs 21:23
This proverb highlights the wisdom in keeping one's mouth and tongue in check to avoid trouble.

Ephesians 4:29
Paul advises believers to speak only what is helpful for building others up, aligning with David's desire to avoid sinning with his tongue.

Matthew 12:36-37
Jesus teaches about the accountability of every word spoken, reinforcing the need for careful speech.

Proverbs 13:3
This proverb underscores the value of guarding one's mouth to preserve life, similar to David's resolve.
Evil Speaking, and the Proper Means to Prevent ItR. Fiddes.Psalm 39:1-13
Lessons from a FuneralW. Forsyth Psalm 39:1-13
The Afflicted ManC. Short Psalm 39:1-13
The Unspoken Judgment of MankindJ. B. Mozley, D. D.Psalm 39:1-13
Thought and Prayer Under TrialHomilistPsalm 39:1-13
Unburdening the Heart to God in a Time of Sore AfflictionC. Clemance Psalm 39:1-13
People
David, Jeduthun, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Attention, Bridle, Chief, Choirmaster, Control, Curb, David, Gt, Guard, Heed, Jeduthun, Leader, Lt, Mouth, Music, Musician, Music-maker, Muzzle, Observe, Overseer, Presence, Psalm, Sin, Sinner, Sinning, Tongue, Watch, Wicked, Wrong
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 39:1

     5193   tongue
     5549   speech, positive
     5922   prudence
     5934   restraint
     8329   readiness
     8493   watchfulness, believers

Psalm 39:

     5420   music

Psalm 39:1-2

     5950   silence

Psalm 39:1-3

     5168   muteness

Library
The Bitterness and Blessedness of the Brevity of Life
'Surely every man walketh in a vain shew.... 12. I am a stranger with Thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.' --PSALM xxxix. 6, 12. These two sayings are two different ways of putting the same thing. There is a common thought underlying both, but the associations with which that common thought is connected in these two verses are distinctly different. The one is bitter and sad--a gloomy half truth. The other, out of the very same fact, draws blessedness and hope. The one may come from no
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Song of the Sojourner.
"I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were."--Psalm 39:12. "Ich bin ein Gast auf Erden." [60]Paul Gerhardt. transl., Jane Borthwick, 1858 A Pilgrim and a stranger, I journey here below; Far distant is my country The home to which I go. Here I must toil and travel, Oft weary and opprest, But there my God shall lead me To everlasting rest. I've met with storm and danger, Even from my early years, With enemies and conflicts, With fightings and with fears. There's nothing here
Jane Borthwick—Hymns from the Land of Luther

Epiphanius of Pavia.
ABOUT the same time that Cæsarius was thus labouring in France, Epiphanius, Bishop of Pavia, was labouring in a like spirit in Italy. He also was a blessing for his land, convulsed by the disturbances of war, and deluged by one barbarous tribe after another. Amidst the strife of hostile tribes, he gained equal confidence and equal respect from the leaders of the adverse parties, and shed benefits alike on friend and foe. When the wild hosts of Odoacer were destroying and plundering Pavia, in
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

Since These Things are So, Suffer Me Awhile...
36. Since these things are so, suffer me awhile, holy brother, (for the Lord giveth me through thee great boldness,) to address these same our sons and brethren whom I know with what love thou together with us dost travail in birth withal, until the Apostolic discipline be formed in them. O servants of God, soldiers of Christ, is it thus ye dissemble the plottings of our most crafty foe, who fearing your good fame, that so goodly odor of Christ, lest good souls should say, "We will run after the
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

How Admirably Ps. ...
How admirably Ps. xxxix. [xxxviii.] takes the place of an introduction. Incited thereto by this psalm the saint determines to write on duties. He does this with more reason even than Cicero, who wrote on this subject to his son. How, further, this is so. 23. Not without thought did I make use of the beginning of this psalm, in writing to you, my children. For this psalm which the Prophet David gave to Jeduthun to sing, [57] I urge you to regard, being delighted myself with its depth of meaning and
St. Ambrose—Works and Letters of St. Ambrose

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire Until the Collapse of the Western Empire and the First Schism Between the East and the West, or Until About A. D. 500
In the second period of the history of the Church under the Christian Empire, the Church, although existing in two divisions of the Empire and experiencing very different political fortunes, may still be regarded as forming a whole. The theological controversies distracting the Church, although different in the two halves of the Graeco-Roman world, were felt to some extent in both divisions of the Empire and not merely in the one in which they were principally fought out; and in the condemnation
Joseph Cullen Ayer Jr., Ph.D.—A Source Book for Ancient Church History

Letter xxvi. (Circa A. D. 1127) to the Same
To the Same He excuses the brevity of his letter on the ground that Lent is a time of silence; and also that on account of his profession and his ignorance he does not dare to assume the function of teaching. 1. You will, perhaps, be angry, or, to speak more gently, will wonder that in place of a longer letter which you had hoped for from me you receive this brief note. But remember what says the wise man, that there is a time for all things under the heaven; both a time to speak and a time to keep
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Works by the Same Author.
Crown 8vo, cloth, price 7s. 6d. each. THE PSALMS. VOL. I.--PSALMS I.-XXXVIII. " II.--PSALMS XXXIX.-LXXXIX. " III.--PSALMS XC-CL. IN THE "EXPOSITOR'S BIBLE." "The work of a brilliant and effective teacher. He writes with real power and insight."--Saturday Review. "Dr. Maclaren has evidently mastered his subject with the aid of the best authorities, and has put the results of his studies before his readers in a most attractive form, and if we add that this commentary really helps to the better
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 15.) Differently to be admonished are the over-silent, and those who spend time in much speaking. For it ought to be insinuated to the over-silent that while they shun some vices unadvisedly, they are, without its being perceived, implicated in worse. For often from bridling the tongue overmuch they suffer from more grievous loquacity in the heart; so that thoughts seethe the more in the mind from being straitened by the violent guard of indiscreet silence. And for the most part they
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Epistle v. To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor.
To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor. Gregory to Theoctista, &c. With how great devotion my mind prostrates itself before your Venerableness I cannot fully express in words; nor yet do I labour to give utterance to it, since, even though I were silent, you read in your heart your own sense of my devotion. I wonder, however, that you withdrew your countenance, till of late bestowed on me, from this my recent engagement in the pastoral office; wherein, under colour of episcopacy, I have been brought
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Third Sunday after Easter
Text: First Peter 2, 11-20. 11 Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme; 14 or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

"For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak through the Flesh, God Sending his Own Son in the Likeness of Sinful Flesh,
Rom. viii. 3.--"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh." For what purpose do we meet thus together? I would we knew it,--then it might be to some better purpose. In all other things we are rational, and do nothing of moment without some end and purpose. But, alas! in this matter of greatest moment, our going about divine ordinances, we have scarce any distinct or deliberate
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Character of Its Teachings Evidences the Divine Authorship of the Bible
Take its teachings about God Himself. What does the Bible teach us about God? It declares that He is Eternal: "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou are God" (Ps. 90:2). It reveals the fact that He is Infinite: "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee" (I Kings 8:27). Vast as we know the universe to be, it has its bounds; but we must go beyond
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his Approaching Passion.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke XII. 1-59. ^c 1 In the meantime [that is, while these things were occurring in the Pharisee's house], when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another [in their eagerness to get near enough to Jesus to see and hear] , he began to say unto his disciples first of all [that is, as the first or most appropriate lesson], Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [This admonition is the key to the understanding
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness, Suffering
Text: 1 Peter 5, 5-11. 5 Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom withstand stedfast
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

How those are to be Admonished who Decline the Office of Preaching Out of Too Great Humility, and those who Seize on it with Precipitate Haste.
(Admonition 26.) Differently to be admonished are those who, though able to preach worthily, are afraid by reason of excessive humility, and those whom imperfection or age forbids to preach, and yet precipitancy impells. For those who, though able to preach with profit, still shrink back through excessive humility are to be admonished to gather from consideration of a lesser matter how faulty they are in a greater one. For, if they were to hide from their indigent neighbours money which they possessed
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

"And we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6.--"And we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Here they join the punishment with the deserving cause, their uncleanness and their iniquities, and so take it upon them, and subscribe to the righteousness of God's dealing. We would say this much in general--First, Nobody needeth to quarrel God for his dealing. He will always be justified when he is judged. If the Lord deal more sharply with you than with others, you may judge there is a difference
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus Christ;
SHEWING, TRUE GOSPEL-HOLINESS FLOWS FROM THENCE; OR, MR. FOWLER'S PRETENDED DESIGN OF CHRISTIANITY, PROVED TO BE NOTHING MORE THAN TO TRAMPLE UNDER FOOT THE BLOOD OF THE SON OF GOD; AND THE IDOLIZING OF MAN'S OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS AS ALSO, HOW WHILE HE PRETENDS TO BE A MINISTER OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, HE OVERTHROWETH THE WHOLESOME DOCTRINE CONTAINED IN THE 10TH, 11TH, AND 13TH, OF THE THIRTY-NINE ARTICLES OF THE SAME, AND THAT HE FALLETH IN WITH THE QUAKER AND ROMANIST, AGAINST THEM. BY JOHN BUNYAN
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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