MY HOPE IS IN GOD
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
David had determined to watch himself and put a muzzle on his tongue, especially in the presence of the wicked. He was experiencing anguish in his heart. Even when he meditated it grew. Finally, he came to the LORD. Only before God did he speak. In light of God, he could see that life in this world is fleeting-nothing compared to eternity. His anguish would be gone; so also would all of those who only heaped up wealth in this world.
2. What do I look for? (7-13)
Given the temporal nature of life in the world, David asked, 'But what do I look for?' David confessed his hope in God. Seeking God and his salvation is the one meaningful pursuit in this life, for it lasts for eternity. David came to God who had disciplined him. He came with hope that God would hear his prayer, discipline with love, and bless him to enjoy life in God.
Prayer: LORD, help me to bring all things before you. Help me not to trust in worldly things, but to have hope in the eternal God.
One Word: Have hope in God alone