The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

THE psalmist, vexed and disgusted with life, feeling a desire to murmur and complain, but aware that his words are watched, and his wicked enemies ready to make use of them against him, has resolved on maintaining an entire silence—at any rate, while the ungodly are in his sight (Psalms 39:1, Psalms 39:2), but is unable to keep to his resolve. Despite himself, he bursts out into speech—a speech of bitter complaint (Psalms 39:4-6). "How long has he got to endure this life so unsatisfactory, so full of vanity?" The outburst relieves him, and he continues in a gentler strain, recognizing God's hand in the griefs and woes of life, entreating his help, and finally asking to be spared a little, that he may recover strength, before he goes hence and is no more (Psalms 39:7-13).

The title assigns the psalm to David, and represents him as having committed the composition for musical arrangement to the precentor, or choir-master, of the time, who is then named as Jeduthun, one of the chief musicians in David's service (1 Chronicles 16:41, 1 Chronicles 16:42; 1 Chronicles 25:3-6). There is no reason to dispute this attribution. The poetic beauty of the composition is great, and the circumstances are such as suit David's early life.

The pause-sign, "Selah," divides the psalm into three portions:

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Matthew Henry on Psalms 39:1-6Psalms 39:1-6 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryIf an evil thought should arise in the mind, suppress it. Watchfulness in the habit, is the bridle upon the head; watchfulness in acts, is the hand upon the bridle. When not able to separate from wicked men, we should r…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:1Psalms 39:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryI said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue. There are no grounds for connecting this silence with the abstinence from self-vindication mentioned in the preceding psalm (Psalms 39:13, 14). Indeed,…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:1-13Psalms 39:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryUnburdening the heart to God in a time of sore affliction, when nothing can be said to man. Jeduthun, whose name stands at the head of Psalms 39:1-13, Psalms 62:1-12, and Psalms 77:1-20, was one of a musical family entr…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:1-13Psalms 39:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryLessons from a funeral. It is toll of Archbishop Leighton that a friend once met him by the way, and said, "You have been to hear a sermon?" His answer was, "I met a sermon—a sermon de facto, for I met a corpse, and rig…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:1-13Psalms 39:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe afflicted man. 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 num…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 39:1-6If an evil thought should arise in the mind, suppress it. Watchfulness in the habit, is the bridle upon the head; watchfulness in acts, is the hand upon the bridle. When not able to separate from wicked men, we should r…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:1-13Unburdening the heart to God in a time of sore affliction, when nothing can be said to man. Jeduthun, whose name stands at the head of Psalms 39:1-13, Psalms 62:1-12, and Psalms 77:1-20, was one of a musical family entr…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:1-13Lessons from a funeral. It is toll of Archbishop Leighton that a friend once met him by the way, and said, "You have been to hear a sermon?" His answer was, "I met a sermon—a sermon de facto, for I met a corpse, and rig…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:1-13The afflicted man. 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 num…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:1I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue. There are no grounds for connecting this silence with the abstinence from self-vindication mentioned in the preceding psalm (Psalms 39:13, 14). Indeed,…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:2I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good. Some explain, "I held my peace, but it did me no good—I was none the better for it" (Hupfeld, Hengstenberg, Canon Cook); others adopt the Prayer-book Version, I…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:3My heart was hot within me; or, grew hot (Kay). And while I was musing the fire burned; or, kindled (Revised Version). Then spake I with my tongue; i.e. aloud, articulately. I could not—at any rate, I did not—refrain my…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:4Lord, make me to know mine end, and the number of my days. This is not exactly the request of Job, who desired to be at once cut off (Job 6:9; Job 7:15; Job 14:13), but it is a request conceived in the same spirit. The…Joseph S. Exell and contributors