Psalms 39:4
Psalms 39:4 in Multiple Translations
“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.
LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
Jehovah, make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is; Let me know how frail I am.
Lord, give me knowledge of my end, and of the measure of my days, so that I may see how feeble I am.
Lord, remind me. How short is my life? How long do I have? Remind me how quickly my life will pass.
Lord, let me know mine ende, and the measure of my dayes, what it is: let mee knowe howe long I haue to liue.
'Cause me to know, O Jehovah, mine end, And the measure of my days — what it [is],' I know how frail I [am].
“LORD, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.
LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is ; that I may know how frail I am .
And he put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many shall see, and shall fear: and they shall hope in the Lord.
“Yahweh, show/tell me how long I will live. Tell me when I will die. Tell me how many years I will live!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 39:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 39:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
חַם
לִבִּ֨/י
בְּ/קִרְבִּ֗/י
בַּ/הֲגִיגִ֥/י
תִבְעַר
אֵ֑שׁ
דִּ֝בַּ֗רְתִּי
בִּ/לְשֽׁוֹנִ/י
חַם
châmam
H2552
to warm
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
לִבִּ֨/י
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms | Suff
בְּ/קִרְבִּ֗/י
qereb
H7130
entrails
Prep | N-ms | Suff
בַּ/הֲגִיגִ֥/י
hâgîyg
H1901
meditation
Prep | N-ms | Suff
תִבְעַר
bâʻar
H1197
to burn
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
אֵ֑שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
fire
N-cs
דִּ֝בַּ֗רְתִּי
dâbar
H1696
to speak
V-Piel-Perf-1cs
בִּ/לְשֽׁוֹנִ/י
lâshôwn
H3956
tongue
Prep | N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 39:4
חַם
châmam
H2552
"to warm"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to warm or heat something, like in Genesis 18:4, where Abraham offers warm water to wash feet. It can also describe strong emotions, like passion or desire.
Definition: 1) to be hot, become warm 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be or grow warm 1a2) of passion (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to become aroused, inflame oneself with 1c) (Piel) to warm 1d) (Hithpael) to warm oneself
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: enflame self, get (have) heat, be (wax) hot, (be, wax) warm (self, at). See also: Exodus 16:21; Ecclesiastes 4:11; Psalms 39:4.
לִבִּ֨/י
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
בְּ/קִרְבִּ֗/י
qereb
H7130
"entrails"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means the inner part or midst of something, whether physical or emotional, and can refer to the entrails of an animal or the seat of thought and emotion. In 1 Kings 17:21, it describes Elijah's emotional plea to God.
Definition: : among/within 1) midst, among, inner part, middle 1a) inward part 1a1) physical sense 1a2) as seat of thought and emotion 1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion 1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons) 1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals) Also means: qe.rev (קֶ֫רֶב ": inner_parts" H7130H)
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self. See also: Genesis 18:12; Joshua 7:12; Psalms 5:10.
בַּ/הֲגִיגִ֥/י
hâgîyg
H1901
"meditation"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Meditation can also mean a quiet complaint or whisper, like a person murmuring to themselves. It involves thinking deeply, but can also imply a sense of discontent. In the Bible, it's used to describe both positive and negative thoughts.
Definition: 1) whisper, musing, murmuring 1a) murmuring 1b) musing
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: meditation, musing. See also: Psalms 5:2; Psalms 39:4.
תִבְעַר
bâʻar
H1197
"to burn"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
To be brutish means to be stupid or barbarous, and can also refer to consuming something by fire or eating. It is used to describe someone who is dull-hearted or unreceptive.
Definition: : burn/ignite 1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning 1a2) to burn, be burning 1a3) to burn, consume 1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to kindle, burn 1b2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to kindle 1c2) to burn up 1c3) to consume (destroy) 1d) (Pual) to burn
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. See also: Exodus 3:2; Psalms 39:4; Psalms 2:12.
אֵ֑שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
דִּ֝בַּ֗רְתִּי
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
V-Piel-Perf-1cs
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
בִּ/לְשֽׁוֹנִ/י
lâshôwn
H3956
"tongue"
Prep | N-cs | Suff
The tongue, used for eating, speaking, or describing a language. In the Bible, it appears in many books, including Genesis 11:1 and Acts 2:4.
Definition: : tongue/words 1) tongue 1a) tongue (of men) 1a1) tongue (literal) 1a2) tongue (organ of speech) 1b) language 1c) tongue (of animals) 1d) tongue (of fire) 1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)
Usage: Occurs in 115 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] babbler, bay, [phrase] evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge. See also: Genesis 10:5; Psalms 126:2; Psalms 5:10.
Study Notes — Psalms 39:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 39:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 39:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 39:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 39:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 39:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 39:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 39:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 39:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 39:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 39:4
- Sermons on Psalms 39:4
Context — I Will Watch My Ways
2I was speechless and still; I remained silent, even from speaking good, and my sorrow was stirred.
3My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:
4“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.
5You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah 6Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 90:12 | So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom. |
| 2 | Psalms 103:14 | For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust. |
| 3 | Job 14:13 | If only You would hide me in Sheol and conceal me until Your anger has passed! If only You would appoint a time for me and then remember me! |
| 4 | Psalms 119:84 | How many days must Your servant wait? When will You execute judgment on my persecutors? |
Psalms 39:4 Summary
Psalms 39:4 is a prayer where the psalmist asks God to show him the end of his life and how short it is. He wants to know this so he can live each day with purpose and make the most of the time God has given him. This is a good reminder for us to prioritize what is truly important, like our relationship with God and our love for others, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 22:37-40. By recognizing the brevity of life, we can live more intentionally and make choices that honor God, as encouraged in Colossians 3:2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to ask God to show us the end of our days?
Asking God to show us the end of our days, as seen in Psalms 39:4, is a humble request for God to give us perspective on our mortality, helping us to prioritize our lives according to His will, much like Moses' prayer in Psalms 90:12.
Why would the psalmist want to know how fleeting his life is?
The psalmist wants to know how fleeting his life is so that he can live each day with purpose and intention, recognizing that our time on earth is short, as stated in James 4:14 and 1 Peter 1:24.
Is it morbid to think about the end of our days?
No, it's not morbid to think about the end of our days; rather, it's a biblical way to live with eternity in mind, as encouraged in Psalms 90:12 and Ecclesiastes 3:11, helping us to make the most of the time God has given us.
How can knowing the brevity of life impact our daily choices?
Knowing the brevity of life can impact our daily choices by helping us to prioritize what is truly important, such as our relationship with God and our love for others, as seen in Matthew 6:33 and 1 Corinthians 13:3.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things in my life that I prioritize, and are they aligned with God's will for me?
- How can I live each day with the awareness of my own mortality, and what changes would I need to make to live more intentionally?
- What are some distractions in my life that keep me from focusing on what is truly important, and how can I eliminate them?
- In what ways can I use my time and resources to serve God and others, and what steps can I take to start doing so?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 39:4
Lord, make me to know mine end,.... Not Christ, the end of the law for righteousness, as Jerom interprets it; nor how long he should live, how many days, months, and years more; for though they are
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 39:4
LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 39:4
This verse contains either, 1. A correction of himself for his impatient motions or speeches, and his retirement to God for relief under these perplexing and sadding thoughts. Or, 2. A declaration of the words which he spake. Make me to know; either, 1. Practically, so as to prepare for it. Or, 2. Experimentally, as words of knowledge are oft used. And so this is a secret desire of death, that he might be free from such torments as made his life a burden to him. Or, 3.
By revelation; that I may have some prospect or foreknowledge when my calamities will be ended; which argued impatience, and an unwillingness to wait long for deliverance. My end, i.e. the end of my life, as is evident from the following words. What it is; how long or short it is, or the utmost extent or period of the days of my life. How frail I am; or, how long (or, how little, for the word may be and is by divers interpreters taken both ways) time I have or shall continue here.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 39:4
Psalms 39:4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it [is; that] I may know how frail I [am].Ver. 4. Lord, make me to know mine end] This Austin expoundeth of heaven, the end of all his troubles, which he now sighed after. But Vatablus, Calvin, and most modern interpreters conceive that David doth here ingenuously confess that he grudged against God; considering the greatness of his grief and the shortness of his life. And the measure of my days] An ad malorum quae perfero compensationem sufficiant, whether they are likely to be enough to make me amends for nay grievous sufferings. This he seemeth to speak either out of impatience, or curiosity, at least. That I may know how frail I am] How soon ceasing and short lived. Quam durabilis sum (Trem.). Vatablus hath it, quam mundanus sim, how long I am like to be a man of this world, this vale of misery and valley of tears.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 39:4
(4) Rhythmically and from every other reason the psalm onward from this verse must be treated as the utterance to which the poet’s feelings have at length driven him. How frail I am.—This is to be preferred to the margin, which follows the LXX. and Vulg. The Hebrew word, from a root meaning to “leave off,” though in Isaiah 53:3 it means “forsaken,” here, as in Ezekiel 3:27, is active, and implies “ceasing to live.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 39:4
Verse 4. Lord, make me to know mine end] I am weary of life; I wish to know the measure of my days, that I may see how long I have to suffer, and how frail I am. I wish to know what is wanting to make up the number of the days I have to live.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 39:4
4–6. Silence has proved impossible. He must give vent to his emotions, and he breaks out into a prayer that he may be taught so to understand the frailty of his life and the vanity of human aims, that he may be led back from selfish, envious, murmuring thoughts, to rest in submission to God’s will. Cp. Psalms 90:12.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 39:4
Lord, make me to know mine end - This expresses evidently the substance of those anxious and troubled thoughts Psalms 39:1-2 to which he had been unwilling to give utterance.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 39:4
4. Make me to know mine end—The first utterance gives expression to the thought which was uppermost.
Sermons on Psalms 39:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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God's Bloodhound by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the speaker discusses their plan to distribute 50 sets of 70-hour tapes throughout America to help train young preachers. They express gratitude for the person fina |
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Life Is a Vapor. Live Like It! by Tim Conway | This sermon emphasizes the importance of having a mindset aligned with God's perspective on life and eternity. It contrasts the worldly mindset that views life as forever with the |
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Martyrs Prayer (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful story of a young girl named Rebecca whose father was killed by lions because he loved Jesus. Rebecca and her brother were later taken |
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Pleasing God - Pt. 1 by Kay Smith | In this sermon, Chris Carlson emphasizes the importance of living with an attitude of pleasing the heart of God. He shares how his own awareness of this began when he witnessed the |
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Death of George Whitefield by E.A. Johnston | In the sermon transcripts, it is described how George Whitfield, a preacher of the word of God, was approached by a crowd at the home of Parsons, asking him to give them a final me |
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A Series of Proverbs Part 2 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith explores the book of Ecclesiastes, specifically focusing on chapter 6, verse 12. He emphasizes the uncertainty and brevity of life, highlighting |
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(How to Understand the Kjv Bible) 22 Psalm 90 by Keith Simons | Keith Simons explores Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses, emphasizing the eternal nature of God and the fleeting existence of humanity. He highlights how Moses, as a close friend of God, |