MY HOPE IS IN GOD

Passage: Psalms 39:1-13

Key verse: 7

NIV

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)

12 “Hear my prayer, Lord,
    listen to my cry for help;(AG)
    do not be deaf(AH) to my weeping.(AI)
I dwell with you as a foreigner,(AJ)
    a stranger,(AK) as all my ancestors were.(AL)
13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
    before I depart and am no more.”(AM)

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 39:1 In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.
  2. Psalm 39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

What Is the Measure of My Days?

To the choirmaster: to (A)Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

39 I said, “I will (B)guard my ways,
    that I (C)may not sin with my tongue;
I will (D)guard my mouth with a muzzle,
    so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
2 I was (E)mute and silent;
    I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
3     My (F)heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:

4 “O Lord, (G)make me know my end
    and what is the measure of my days;
    let me know how fleeting I am!
5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
    and (H)my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely (I)all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
6     Surely a man (J)goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing[a] they are in turmoil;
    man (K)heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
    (L)My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions.
    (M)Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
9 (N)I am mute; I do not open my mouth,
    (O)for it is you who have done it.
10 (P)Remove your stroke from me;
    I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
11 When you discipline a man
    with (Q)rebukes for sin,
you (R)consume like a (S)moth what is dear to him;
    (T)surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah

12 (U)“Hear my prayer, O Lord,
    and give ear to my cry;
    hold not your peace at my tears!
For I am (V)a sojourner with you,
    (W)a guest, like all my fathers.
13 (X)Look away from me, that I may smile again,
    (Y)before I depart and (Z)am no more!”

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 39:6 Hebrew Surely as a breath
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Everyone is but a breath (1-6)

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