Psalms Reading – 2.7.2022
Psalm 39
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.”
2 So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good.
But my anguish increased,
I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.”
2 So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good.
But my anguish increased,
3 my heart grew hot within me.
While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.
6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
8 Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.
9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.
10 Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
11 When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin,
you consume their wealth like a moth— surely everyone is but a breath.
8 Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.
9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.
10 Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
11 When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin,
you consume their wealth like a moth— surely everyone is but a breath.
12 “Hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping.
I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.”
I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.”
This is the first of three times in the Psalms where we find Jeduthun mentioned. He was one of David’s three worship leaders. He is the same person named Ethan as found in other Scriptures.
1 Chronicles 16:42 tells us that Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. 1 Chronicles 25:6 tells us that the three directors of music, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun reported directly to King David. Worship was highly prized in David’s reign as king and spiritual leader of Israel.
This prayer turned song reveals David’s suffering led him to reflect on life’s fleeting nature. He is speechless before God as he contemplates the fragility of life but discovers that he could no longer remain silent. So, from his despair, he asked God to show him how transient life is.
David put to words what many of us fear. Life flies by so quickly in the presence of our timeless God. In this stage of life, David understands the foolishness of living to increase wealth for our own selfish purposes. He has come to a major crisis of life discerning why we have been put here. Are we living selfishly small petty lives or is there more to life?
As he continued to speak to God, David asked himself what he was really looking for in life. He, then, declared that his hope was in God. He confessed his sin and asked God for help. He asked God to release his guilt and allow him to enjoy life once again before he departed this world. David found that lasting joy in life is found in a right relationship with God where we are motivated by eternal purposes.
Memory Verse:
Psalm 39:7, “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”
Question(s) to Consider:
How are you living with eternal meaning and purpose in light of life’s fleeting nature?