The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:4

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

Lord, 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 psalmist is weary of life, expects nothing from it, feels that it is "altogether vanity." He asks, therefore, not exactly for death, hut that it may be told him how long he will have to endure the wretched life that he is leading.

He anticipates no relief except in death, and feels, at any rate for the time, that he would welcome death as a deliverer. That I may know how frail I am. So most moderns; but Hengstenberg denies that חדל can ever mean "frail," and falls back upon the old rendering, "that I may know when I shall cease [to be]," which certainly gives a very good sense.

More for Psalms 39:4

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

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 39:1-13Psalms 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…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:1-13Psalms 39:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION 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 mainta…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 39:4Psalms 39:4 · The Pulpit CommentaryA wise prayer. "Lord, make me to know mine end," etc. The writer of this most beautiful, though most sorrowful, psalm opens to us his inmost heart. The inspiring Spirit speaks through one of like passions with ourselves…

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 39:1-13EXPOSITION 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 mainta…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 39:4A wise prayer. "Lord, make me to know mine end," etc. The writer of this most beautiful, though most sorrowful, psalm opens to us his inmost heart. The inspiring Spirit speaks through one of like passions with ourselves…Joseph S. Exell and contributors