FRAMEWORKS:
Psalm 39
For
the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
[Preliminary
Comments: From the title, Jeduthun was a musician at
the Tabernacle [1 Chron 16:38-41] who was still around at the
time of the dedication of the Temple by Solomon [2 Chron 5:12].
He is also referred to in Psa 62 & 77. This is clearly a song
for him to use.
This
quite remarkable psalm recognises that before a holy God we are
lost, helpless and hopeless and with no excuse, and all we can
do is plead for His mercy – undeserved good on His part.]
v.1
David had resolved to keep quiet
v.1
I
said, “I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
while in the presence of the wicked.”
v.2,3
Yet an awareness growing within him eventually could be held in
no longer
v.2
So
I remained utterly silent,
not even saying anything good.
But my anguish increased;
v.3 my
heart grew hot within me.
While I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
v.4-6
As he had thought about life, it seemed fleeting and transient
v.4
“Show
me, Lord , my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
v.5 You
have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before
you.
Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure.
v.6
“Surely
everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
without knowing whose it will finally
be.
v.7,8
This left him feeling that his only hope was in the Lord, who
could save him
v.7
“But
now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
v.8 Save
me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.
v.9-11
He accepted the Lord's discipline in his life
v.9
I
was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for you are the one who has done this.
v.10
Remove
your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
v.11
When
you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin,
you consume their wealth like a moth—
surely everyone is but a breath.
v.12,13
So all he could do is plead for mercy [undeserved
grace and help]
v.12
“Hear
my prayer, Lord ,
listen to my cry for help;
do not be deaf to my weeping.
I dwell with you as a foreigner,
a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
v.13
Look
away from me, that I may enjoy life again
before I depart and am no more.”
[Additional
Thoughts: The message is clear, if not unpalatable by
those who would make excuses for their sinful attitudes and behaviour:
before a holy God, the reality is that everything about our lives
– in respect of God – is to do with mercy and grace, a reliance
on His undeserved love and goodness.]
Continue
to Psa 40