Psalms 39:7
Psalms 39:7 in Multiple Translations
And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.
And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? my hope is in you.
So Lord, what am I looking for? I put my hope in you.
And now Lord, what wait I for? mine hope is euen in thee.
And, now, what have I expected? O Lord, my hope — it [is] of Thee.
Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.
And now, LORD, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire; but thou hast pierced ears for me. Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require:
So now, Yahweh, if I expect [RHQ] to receive blessings from other people, I will be disappointed. You are the only one from whom I confidently expect to receive blessings.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 39:7
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 39:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַךְ
בְּ/צֶ֤לֶם
יִֽתְהַלֶּךְ
אִ֗ישׁ
אַךְ
הֶ֥בֶל
יֶהֱמָי֑וּ/ן
יִ֝צְבֹּ֗ר
וְֽ/לֹא
יֵדַ֥ע
מִי
אֹסְפָֽ/ם
אַךְ
ʼak
H389
surely
DirObjM
בְּ/צֶ֤לֶם
tselem
H6754
image
Prep | N-ms
יִֽתְהַלֶּךְ
hâlak
H1980
to go
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3ms
אִ֗ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
אַךְ
ʼak
H389
surely
DirObjM
הֶ֥בֶל
hebel
H1892
vanity
N-ms
יֶהֱמָי֑וּ/ן
hâmâh
H1993
to roar
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff
יִ֝צְבֹּ֗ר
tsâbar
H6651
to heap
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְֽ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יֵדַ֥ע
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
מִי
mîy
H4310
who?
Part
אֹסְפָֽ/ם
ʼâçaph
H622
to gather
V-Qal | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 39:7
אַךְ
ʼak
H389
"surely"
DirObjM
This Hebrew word is used to emphasize something, like saying 'surely' or 'certainly'. It can also be used to limit or restrict something, like saying 'only' or 'but'.
Definition: 1) indeed, surely (emphatic) 2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, [phrase] wherefore, yet (but). See also: Genesis 7:23; 2 Kings 23:35; Psalms 23:6.
בְּ/צֶ֤לֶם
tselem
H6754
"image"
Prep | N-ms
This word means image or likeness, often referring to idols or illusions, and is used to describe the resemblance of something, as seen in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) image 1a) images (of tumours, mice, heathen gods) 1b) image, likeness (of resemblance) 1c) mere, empty, image, semblance (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: tse.lem (צְלֵם "image" H6755)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: image, vain shew. See also: Genesis 1:26; 2 Kings 11:18; Psalms 39:7.
יִֽתְהַלֶּךְ
hâlak
H1980
"to go"
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3ms
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Definition: : walk/move 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to walk 1b2) to walk (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to traverse 1c2) to walk about 1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 473 OT verses. KJV: (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. See also: Genesis 2:14; Judges 4:9; 1 Kings 13:12.
אִ֗ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
אַךְ
ʼak
H389
"surely"
DirObjM
This Hebrew word is used to emphasize something, like saying 'surely' or 'certainly'. It can also be used to limit or restrict something, like saying 'only' or 'but'.
Definition: 1) indeed, surely (emphatic) 2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, [phrase] wherefore, yet (but). See also: Genesis 7:23; 2 Kings 23:35; Psalms 23:6.
הֶ֥בֶל
hebel
H1892
"vanity"
N-ms
Hebel means emptiness or vanity, describing something transitory and unsatisfactory, like a breath of air. It appears in the book of Ecclesiastes, where Solomon writes about life's fleeting nature. The KJV translates it as vanity or altogether.
Definition: 1) vapour, breath 1a) breath, vapour 1b) vanity (fig.) adv 2) vainly
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] altogether, vain, vanity. See also: Deuteronomy 32:21; Ecclesiastes 4:7; Psalms 31:7.
יֶהֱמָי֑וּ/ן
hâmâh
H1993
"to roar"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff
To make a loud noise, like roaring or moaning, is what this Hebrew word means. It can also imply a state of turmoil or commotion, like in the book of Jeremiah where it describes a city in uproar.
Definition: 1) to murmur, growl, roar, cry aloud, mourn, rage, sound, make noise, tumult, be clamorous, be disquieted, be loud, be moved, be troubled, be in an uproar 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to growl 1a2) to murmur (fig. of a soul in prayer) 1a3) to roar 1a4) to be in a stir, be in a commotion 1a5) to be boisterous, be turbulent
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved, make a noise, rage, roar, sound, be troubled, make in tumult, tumultuous, be in an uproar. See also: 1 Kings 1:41; Song of Solomon 5:4; Psalms 39:7.
יִ֝צְבֹּ֗ר
tsâbar
H6651
"to heap"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to gather or pile something up, like grain or silver, often used to describe accumulating wealth or resources. It appears in various contexts, including storing food or treasure.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to heap up, pile up 1a) of grain, dust, silver
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: gather (together), heap (up), lay up. See also: Genesis 41:35; Job 27:16; Psalms 39:7.
וְֽ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יֵדַ֥ע
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
מִי
mîy
H4310
"who?"
Part
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.
אֹסְפָֽ/ם
ʼâçaph
H622
"to gather"
V-Qal | Suff
To gather means to bring people or things together, often for a purpose like worship or community. It can also mean to take away or remove something, like gathering a harvest. This word appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) to gather, receive, remove, gather in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to gather, collect 1a2) to gather (an individual into company of others) 1a3) to bring up the rear 1a4) to gather and take away, remove, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, be gathered 1b2) (pass of Qal 1a2) 1b2a) to be gathered to one's fathers 1b2b) to be brought in or into (association with others) 1b3) (pass of Qal 1a4) 1b3a) to be taken away, removed, perish 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to gather (harvest) 1c2) to take in, receive into 1c3) rearguard, rearward (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be gathered 1e) (Hithpael) to gather oneself or themselves
Usage: Occurs in 188 OT verses. KJV: assemble, bring, consume, destroy, felch, gather (in, together, up again), [idiom] generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from leprosy), (be) rereward, [idiom] surely, take (away, into, up), [idiom] utterly, withdraw. See also: Genesis 6:21; 1 Chronicles 11:13; Psalms 26:9.
Study Notes — Psalms 39:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 39:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 39:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 39:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 39:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 39:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 39:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 39:7
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 39:7
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 39:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 39:7
- Sermons on Psalms 39:7
Context — I Will Watch My Ways
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.
7And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.
8Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of fools. 9I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romans 15:13 | Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. |
| 2 | Psalms 38:15 | I wait for You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God. |
| 3 | Psalms 119:81 | My soul faints for Your salvation; I wait for Your word. |
| 4 | Genesis 49:18 | I await Your salvation, O LORD. |
| 5 | Psalms 119:166 | I wait for Your salvation, O LORD, and I carry out Your commandments. |
| 6 | Job 13:15 | Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face. |
| 7 | Psalms 130:5–6 | I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning— more than watchmen wait for the morning. |
| 8 | Luke 2:25 | Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. |
Psalms 39:7 Summary
[This verse means that the psalmist is choosing to put his trust and hope in God, even when he's not sure what the future holds. He's waiting on God's timing and plan, rather than trying to take control himself, as we're encouraged to do in Proverbs 3:5-6. By doing so, he's acknowledging that God is the only one who can truly bring him hope and fulfillment. This is a great reminder for us to do the same, and to trust in God's goodness and faithfulness, as expressed in Psalms 100:5.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to wait on the Lord in this verse?
Waiting on the Lord means to trust in His timing and plan, as seen in Psalms 27:14, and to have faith that He will act on our behalf, as stated in Psalms 37:7.
How can we place our hope in God like the psalmist does in this verse?
We can place our hope in God by trusting in His goodness and faithfulness, as expressed in Psalms 100:5, and by seeking to know Him more deeply through prayer and Scripture, as encouraged in Matthew 7:7-8.
What is the relationship between waiting on the Lord and deliverance from transgressions, as mentioned in the following verse?
Waiting on the Lord is closely tied to deliverance from transgressions, as seen in Psalms 39:8, because when we wait on Him, we are acknowledging our dependence on Him and our need for His rescue and forgiveness, as stated in Romans 3:24-25.
How does this verse relate to the idea of vanity and the fleeting nature of life, as discussed in the preceding verses?
This verse serves as a response to the reality of the fleeting nature of life, as described in Psalms 39:5-6, by acknowledging that our hope and trust must be in something more enduring than earthly riches or achievements, namely God Himself, as stated in 1 Timothy 6:17.
Reflection Questions
- What are you waiting for in your life right now, and how can you shift your focus to waiting on the Lord?
- In what ways do you tend to put your hope in things other than God, and how can you redirect your hope to Him?
- How does the reality of the fleeting nature of life, as described in the preceding verses, impact your perspective on what is truly important?
- What does it mean for you to 'wait' on the Lord in a practical sense, and how can you cultivate this practice in your daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 39:7
And now, Lord, what wait I for?.... Look for, or expect, in this view of things?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 39:7
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 39:7
Seeing this life and all its enjoyments are so vain and short to all men, and especially to me, I will never expect nor seek for happiness here from these vanities; I will compose myself patiently and contentedly to bear both my own afflictions, and the prosperity and glory of ungodly men, for both are vanishing and transitory things, and I will seek for happiness no where but in the love and favour of God, in serving and glorifying him here, and in the hope or confident expectation of enjoying him hereafter; and in the mean time, of receiving from him those supplies and assistances which my present condition calls for.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 39:7
Psalms 39:7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope [is] in thee.Ver. 7. And now, Lord, what wait I for?] q.d. Absit ergo ut de istis quisquiliis sim anxius, Far be it from me to trouble myself about these transitory trifles; I am bent to depend on thee alone, to wait for thy favour, and desire it above all earthly felicity; to place all my hope on thee alone (Beza), who, being my Lord, wilt not, canst not cast off thy poor servant, who desireth to fear thy name.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 39:7
(7) And now, Lord . . .—“If such is man’s condition, what,” says the psalmist, “is my expectation?” We seem to hear the deep sigh with which the words are uttered; and we must remember that the poet can turn for comfort to no hope of immortality. That had not yet dawned. The thought of God’s mercy, and the hope of his own moral deliverance, these form the ground of his noble elevation above the oppressive sense of human frailty. The LXX. and Vulg. give it very expressively:— “And now what is my expectation? Is it not the Lord? And my substance is with thee.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 39:7
Verse 7. And now, Lord, what wait I for?] Have I any object of pursuit in life, but to regain thy favour and thine image.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 39:7
7–9. Man’s life being thus transient, and earthly treasures thus deceitful, the Psalmist turns to God, as the one sure stay in life.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 39:7
And now, Lord, what wait I for? - From the consideration of a vain world - of the fruitless efforts of man - of what so perplexed, embarrassed, and troubled him - the psalmist now turns to God, and
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 39:7
7. And now—From this humiliating picture, he turns his thought to God for comfort. What wait I for—Literally, what have I expected? What have I rested my hopes on?
Sermons on Psalms 39:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Psalm 37:7 by Bill Ammon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the intimate relationship between God and His children. He compares it to a mother comforting and caring for her child. The preacher also di |
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The Solemn Appeal and Earnest Cry of a Waiting Soul by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches a sermon on the solemnity of true religion, emphasizing the weight and power of eternal realities on the conscience. Through divine inspiration, David's Psalm |
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Fatherly Chastisement by A.W. Tozer | Greek Word Studies for Assurance (5287) explores the concept of 'hupostasis' as a solid, unshakable confidence in God, representing the essence or substance that underlies our fait |
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Winter Afore Harvest or the Soul's Growth in Grace - Part 2 by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches about the journey of hope in the soul, comparing it to a bud that blossoms into a flower under the genial ray of God's countenance. He emphasizes the importan |
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A Time to Do Nothng but Trust by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Jonathan and the Israelites facing a massive army of Philistines. The Israelites were greatly outnumbered and lacked weapons, lea |
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How to Get on Fire for God by Ray Comfort | In this sermon, the preacher discusses three keys to getting on fire for God. The first key is faith, which is described as believing in the promises of God and finding joy and pea |
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The Path to Hope by David Wilkerson | This sermon focuses on the path to hope as outlined in Romans 5, emphasizing the importance of being justified by faith and having peace with God. It highlights the role of tribula |