Psalms 39

Psalms 39:9

9. — all my desire is before thee;] That is, Thou knowest all my wants. Dr. Wells.

Psalms 39:11

11. My lovers and my friends &c.] This passage is very similar to the words of Job xix. 13, and following verses, in which he complains of being deserted by his friends and companions: many other parts of this Psalm are also like the words and circumstances of Job. Rosenmiller.

Psalms 39:13

13. — heard not; &c.] The meaning is, that he took no notice of their designs; only in a patient and humble silence commended himself to the care of God. Bp. Hall.

This Psalm offers to our consideration these three things: 1. It represents to us the sentiments of a penitent sinner, humbled under the load of his sins, and a sense of the Divine displeasure: these sentiments are expressed in this prayer; “O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.” 2. What is said in this Psalm is very proper for the instruction and consolation of those who are afflicted with pains and diseases, or in any other manner: David teaches them by his own example to look upon the evils that befall them, how severe soever they be, as a just correction for their sins; and to ask God’s pardon for them. 3. If they suffer by the malice and injustice of men, they should imitate David in his humility, patience, and meekness; and wait with resignation till God, who never forsakes the innocent, is pleased to deliver them. Ostervald.

Psalm XXXIX. The foundation of this Psalm is much the same with the foregoing: the author laboured

under some great illness; he knew it due to his sins; he was afraid therefore to speak in the presence of the wicked, lest he might say any thing of which they might take advantage: at last, however, he could hold no longer, but burst forth into an acknowledgment of the weakness and vanity of man in the hands of God; confessing that, whatever he might think heretofore, he has now no longer any expectation but from God, whom therefore he supplicates for mercy. Mudge. This Psalm is with the utmost propriety appointed by our Church to be used at the burial of the dead, as a funeral is indeed the best comment upon it. Bp. Horne.

— Jeduthun.’ Jeduthun is mentioned as a singer in 1 Chron. xxv. 3. This Psalm was perhaps composed by David to be sung by that Jeduthun. Street.

Ver. 2. I was dumb &c.] I refrained from speaking what was good; from giving God the glory with relation to my illness, by acknowledging his greatness and justice, and the nothingness and sinfulness of man. —This seems to show that the reason why he would not speak at all before his enemies was, because he did not care to give them an occasion of triumph, as he must by acknowledging his own weakness and sin: but he could not bear this restraint; it grew worse and worse, and therefore he burst out, &c. Mudge. There is a time to keep silence, because there are men who will not hear; there are tempers savage and sensual as those of swine, before whom the treasures of heavenly wisdom are not to be cast. This consideration stirreth up fresh grief and trouble in a pious and charitable heart. Bp. Horne.