Psalm , Sarah Barry
HOPE IN GOD ALONE
Passage: Psalm 39:1~13  
Key verse: 7
Psalm 39[a]For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 I said, “I will watch my ways(A)
and keep my tongue from sin;(B)
I will put a muzzle on my mouth(C)
while in the presence of the wicked.”
2 So I remained utterly silent,(D)
not even saying anything good.
But my anguish(E) increased;
3 my heart grew hot(F) within me.
While I meditated,(G) the fire(H) burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
and the number of my days;(I)
let me know how fleeting(J) my life is.(K)
5 You have made my days(L) a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,(M)
even those who seem secure.[b]
6 “Surely everyone goes around(N) like a mere phantom;(O)
in vain they rush about,(P) heaping up wealth(Q)
without knowing whose it will finally be.(R)
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.(S)
8 Save me(T) from all my transgressions;(U)
do not make me the scorn(V) of fools.
9 I was silent;(W) I would not open my mouth,(X)
for you are the one who has done this.(Y)
10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow(Z) of your hand.(AA)
11 When you rebuke(AB) and discipline(AC) anyone for their sin,
you consume(AD) their wealth like a moth(AE)—
surely everyone is but a breath.(AF)
1 I said, “I will watch my ways(A)
and keep my tongue from sin;(B)
I will put a muzzle on my mouth(C)
while in the presence of the wicked.”
2 So I remained utterly silent,(D)
not even saying anything good.
But my anguish(E) increased;
3 my heart grew hot(F) within me.
While I meditated,(G) the fire(H) burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
and the number of my days;(I)
let me know how fleeting(J) my life is.(K)
5 You have made my days(L) a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,(M)
even those who seem secure.[b]
6 “Surely everyone goes around(N) like a mere phantom;(O)
in vain they rush about,(P) heaping up wealth(Q)
without knowing whose it will finally be.(R)
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.(S)
8 Save me(T) from all my transgressions;(U)
do not make me the scorn(V) of fools.
9 I was silent;(W) I would not open my mouth,(X)
for you are the one who has done this.(Y)
10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow(Z) of your hand.(AA)
11 When you rebuke(AB) and discipline(AC) anyone for their sin,
you consume(AD) their wealth like a moth(AE)—
surely everyone is but a breath.(AF)
Footnotes
- Psalm 39:1 In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.
- Psalm 39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.
Cross references
- Psalm 39:1 : 1Ki 2:4; Ps 119:9, 59; Pr 20:11
- Psalm 39:1 : S Job 1:22; Ps 34:13; Jas 3:2
- Psalm 39:1 : S Job 6:24; Jas 1:26
- Psalm 39:2 : ver 9; S Job 31:34; Ps 77:4
- Psalm 39:2 : Ps 6:3; S 25:17; 31:10
- Psalm 39:3 : Lk 24:32
- Psalm 39:3 : Ps 1:2; 48:9; 77:12; 119:15
- Psalm 39:3 : Jer 5:14; 20:9; 23:29
- Psalm 39:4 : S Job 14:5
- Psalm 39:4 : S Job 14:2
- Psalm 39:4 : S Ge 47:9; S Job 7:7
- Psalm 39:5 : S Job 10:20; Ps 89:45; 102:23
- Psalm 39:5 : S Job 7:7; Ps 62:9
- Psalm 39:6 : Jas 1:11
- Psalm 39:6 : Job 8:9; Ps 102:11; Ecc 6:12; S Jas 4:14
- Psalm 39:6 : Ps 127:2
- Psalm 39:6 : S Job 27:17
- Psalm 39:6 : Lk 12:20
- Psalm 39:7 : S Ps 9:18; S 25:5
- Psalm 39:8 : Ps 6:4; 51:14
- Psalm 39:8 : Ps 32:1; 51:1; Isa 53:5, 8, 10
- Psalm 39:8 : S Dt 28:37; Ps 69:7; 79:4; Isa 43:28; Da 9:16
- Psalm 39:9 : S ver 2
- Psalm 39:9 : Ps 38:13
- Psalm 39:9 : Isa 38:15
- Psalm 39:10 : 2Ch 21:14; Eze 7:9; 24:16
- Psalm 39:10 : S Ex 9:3
- Psalm 39:11 : S Dt 28:20; Isa 66:15; Eze 5:15; 2Pe 2:16
- Psalm 39:11 : Ps 94:10; Isa 26:16
- Psalm 39:11 : Ps 90:7
- Psalm 39:11 : S Job 13:28; S Isa 51:8; Lk 12:33; S Jas 5:2
- Psalm 39:11 : S Job 7:7
- Psalm 39:12 : S Ps 17:1
- Psalm 39:12 : S Dt 1:45
- Psalm 39:12 : S 2Ki 20:5
- Psalm 39:12 : Lev 25:23
- Psalm 39:12 : S Ge 23:4; S Heb 11:13
- Psalm 39:12 : S Ge 47:9; S 1Ch 29:15
- Psalm 39:13 : S Job 10:21
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. I will muzzle my mouth (1-6)
The Psalmist has encountered personal tragedy, but he made up his mind not to complain against God before unbelievers and wicked men. He does not want to be unfaithful to God, so he decided to muzzle his mouth and say nothing. But fire burned in his heart, and finally, he came before the Lord himself to ask about the end of his life. Would he continue to suffer all the rest of his days? As he prayed, he realized that in the light of eternity, life is but a breath.
2. My hope is in God (7-13)
Through suffering, he realized that men who strive to heap up wealth do not know who will get it. The only hope that a man can have is hope in God. So he asks God's forgiveness for his sins; he asks that God have mercy on him and restore his joy of life. Through suffering, he realized what is really valuable.
Prayer: Lord, remove from me a complaining heart; help me to put my hope in you alone.
One Word: Hope in God alone