Psalms 39

David being resolved not to trespass in deed or word about the prosperity of the wicked, or his own misery either, he confesseth that never the less he was fallen in Human frailty, yet being better advised, and reputing with himself the vanity of man and of his life, he puts his himself the vanity of man and of his life, he puts his hope in God; whom he prays for the forgiveness of his sins, and favour in his pilgrimage and sufferings.

1. A Psalm of David, for the chief Song-master, [See Psalm 4.on verse 1.] for Jeduthun [of whom See 2 Chron.16.41,42. And 25.1,3.]

2. I said: I will keep my ways, [i.e. I shall give diligent and strict heed to my carriage. See 1 Kings 2.on v.4.] that I sin not with tongue; I will keep my mouth with a bridle; [or muzzle, barnacle, a similitude taken from such beasts, whose mouths use to be muzzeled or shut up, to keep them from biting or eating. The Hebrew word comes from a word which is used of muzzling, or binding up the mouths of Oxen, Deut.25.4. David meaning hereby, that he was resolved absolutely to refrain himself, not to murmur or grumble against God through impatiency. Nor to speak ought that was unbeseeming of his Enemies; so long as it should please God, to let them lie in wait thus against him, and to enjoy so much prosperity every where before his eyes] the whilest the wicked is over against me yet.

3. I was struck dumb (through) silence, I was still (or held my peace) of the good, [i.e. there where I had good grounds and reasons to make known the righteousness of my cause] but my pain grew heavy. [distempered, troubled, i.e. I grew but more disquieted and restless.]

4. My heart grew hot in my inmost, a fire kindled in my meditation, [When I called to mind the great wrong and violence that was done unto me] (then) spake I with my tongue. [Then I brake out through human frailty, and could not refrain, for all I had so resolvedly purposed to the contrary, v.2.]

5. LORD make my end known unto me, [This some do understand, as if David (like Job) tired out with sufferings, had wished and desired to die. Others think, that by his prayer and the following meditation, he subdued his human frailty, and quieted his murmuring] and which is the measure of my days, [how long, or how little time I have to live yet on Earth] that I may know how fading I am. [Heb. Properly, as if one should say, how ceasing I be, i.e. how soon I shall cease to live, how short my life maybe, and what is yet behind to sum it up.]

6. Behold thou hast set my days a hand breadth, [Heb. Hand-breadths] and my life-time is as nothing before thee, sure every man (how) fast (soever) he standeth [although he flourish never so much in the height of honour, prosperity, ability and means. Compare Jam.4.14. and above Psa.30.7,8.] is meer vanity. [Heb. All, or whole vanity, i.e. nothing bit vanity] Sela. [See Psa. 3.on v.3.]

7. Sure man (homo) walketh [Heb. The man (vir) or every one, as elsewhere frequently] (as) in an image [or resemblance, shew, i.e. he seemeth to be somewhat, and indeed is nothing, like a picture, portrait, figure or shadow, or a shew and Image representing it self in a dream] sure they be stir themselves vainly, one gathereth together [viz. Many goods. Compare Eccles.2.18,19.] and one knows not, who shall take it to him.

8. And now, what do I wait upon, O LORD? May hope the same on me.

9. Deliver me from all my trespasses, and put me not to a reproach of the Fool. [Hereby some do understand Absalom, who persecuted his good father, out of a meer foolish youthful itching humour to rule and reign, as likewise they apply the next verse, and the beginning of this Psalm to Simei his cursing; unto which he behaved himself, as if he been dumb.]

10. I am struck dumb, I shall not open my mouth: for thou hast done it. [Compare 2 Sam.12.v.10.11,12. And 16.10.]

11. Take thy plague away from upon me: I have fainted by the combating of thine hand. [For warring and fighting thus against me with thy sharp correcting hand.]

12. When thou chastenest any with punishings for iniquity, thou makest his pleasantness to melt like a moth; [What so ever is pleasant, fair, goodly and desirable in him, thou makest it perish suddenly, even as a moth is soon, yea with the least touch quite crush and squeezed to nothing. Compare Job 4:19. and 13.28. Isa.50.9. and 51.8. Hos.5.12.] sure every man is vanity, Sela.

13. Hear LORD my prayer, and take my cry at ears; be not silent to my tears; [Or be not deaf, do not carry thy self as if thou werest deaf to all my cry and complaint which I do power out with tears before thee] for I am a stranger with thee; [and consequently stand in need of thy countenance, conduct and assistance, until I do arrive into the heavenly Canaan, where the true home and freedom of the faithful is. See Heb.11.13, 14, 15, 16. Phil.3.20.] a sojourner like all my fathers. [i.e. fore-fathers, progenitors.]

14. Turn thee away fro me, that I may refresh my self, ere I be gone, and be no (more.) [viz. In this life on Earth. See Job 3.on v.16. the sence is. Cease or forbear to chastise me thus, that faint not altogether, but may fetch some breadth yet, to wait for my dying day, through thy grace, in rest and quietness. Compare Psa.27.13.]