For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Psalm 39

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;
3     my heart grew hot within me.
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.

6 ‘Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
    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.

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.’

A. Find Out:

1. What is this psalm? v.12
2. What had David tried to do but failed? v.1-3
3. What did he feel about life? v.4-6
4. What did he ask the Lord to do? v.8,10
5. What did he feel about his present relationship with God? v.12b
6. So what does he ask? v.13

B. Think:

1. What is David feeling about life in general? (see v.4-6)
2. What was he feeling about himself?
3. So what does he end up asking God?

C. Comment:

     This is a psalm of mixed emotions, and so with other commentators of varied opinions, we may misinterpret it.

   To start with David seems in anguish (note his anguish increased v.2), and in that anguish he determined not to act or speak wrongly. His enemies were round about him (v.1) and his life felt frail. There are times in life when we feel our life is being held by a thread. Eventually he couldn’t stay quiet any longer. He bursts out to God, what is this all about, what is life all about? Life is but fleeting. We work hard but to what avail? We’re all going to die so why amass riches?

   Having poured his heart out, he proclaims his trust in the Lord and acknowledges his need for salvation. He hadn’t wanted to speak negatively because he knew that God rules over all things. He felt his anguish was from the Lord. The best he can do is cry save me, hear me, look away from me. He hasn’t got any grounds on which to bargain with God, he’s just being honest. I’m a mess, God help me….. No, there are no neat conclusions to this psalm!

   There are times when we come to the end of ourselves and can only declare our honest but imperfect heart. At that moment truth is revealed. This is how we really are.   

D. Application:

1. God knows the truth about us – and still loves us.
2. We need to come to the point of facing the truth about ourselves.