Psalms 39

Psalms 39:1

Title. Jeduthun] 1 Chron. 25. 1.

I Said, I will take heed to my ways] Albeit he had determined in himself patiently to have tarried Gods leasure, yet the vehemency of his pain caused him to break his purpose.

I will keep my mouth with a bridle] As a beast is muzzled. Corruption must be kept in by violence, James 1:26.

keep my mouth with a bridle] Heb. keep the bridle to my mouth.

my mouth with a bridle] Heb. a bridle, or muzzle for my mouth.

Psalms 39:2

I was dumb with silence] Though he thought to have kept silence in the presence of the wicked, yet his sorrow caused him to change his minde.

stirred] Heb. troubled.

Psalms 39:3

then spake I with my tongue] He confesseth that he grudged against God, considering the greatnesse of his sorrows, and the shortnesse of his life.

Psalms 39:4

how frail I am] Or, what time I have here.

Psalms 39:5

tho hast made my days as an hand breadth] That is, every day as an hand-breadth.

an hand-breadth] Heb. hand-breadths.

mine age is nothink before thee] Psalms 90:4.

every man at his best state is altogether vanity] Yet David offended in that he reasoned with God, as though that he were too severe toward his weak creature.

at his best state] Heb. setled.

vanitie] Psalms 62:9. and Psalms 144:4.

Psalms 39:6

a vain shew] Heb. an image.

and knoweth not who shall gather them] Whether his children or strangers: and this troubles him, Ecclesiastes 2:18-19.

Psalms 39:8

make me not the reproach of the foolish] Make me not a mocking-stock to the wicked man, psal. 14. 1, 2.

Psalms 39:9

I was dumb] That which I could not attain to by reason, while l looked at the second causes, v. 3. now I have obtained by grace, looking up to thee: I keep silence. See Leviticus 10:3.

was] Or, am.

opened] Or, open.

Psalms 39:10

blow] Heb. conflict.

Psalms 39:11

thou makest] Though thy open plagues light not upon him, yet thy secret curse continually fretteth them.

his beauty to consume away] Heb. that which is to be desired in him to melt away. The word signifieth, all that is desirable in him, as health, force, strength, beauty.

like a moth] Suddenly, as a moth is crushed, Job 4:19. or, insensibly, as a moth devours a garment, Job 13:28. Hosea 5:12.

surely every man is vanity] Though in a naturall course man discerns not himself to be vanity, yet when Gods anger lay hold on him, it appears what he is. He alludes to the names of Adam and Abel, as also Psalms 144:4.

Psalms 39:12

for I am a stranger] Leviticus 25:23. 1 Chron. 29. 15. Psalms 119:19. Hebrews 11:13. 1 Pet. 2. 11. I have but a while to stay, and free to thy protection, therefore spare me, psal. 102. 23, 24. and 119. 84.

as all my fathers were] Protect me, as thou hast done my fathers, being strangers as I am, Genesis 47:9.

Psalms 39:13

before I go hence] He shews that he should die quickly, unlesse God gave him ease.

and be no more] Here in this life. See Job 16:22.