39:1(To the chief Musician, [even] to a Jeduthun, A Psalm of
David.) I said, b I will take heed to my ways, that I
sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle,
while the wicked is before me.
(a) This was one of the chief singers, (1Ch 16:41).
(b) Although he had appointed with himself patiently to
have wait for God's timing, yet the vehemency of his
pain caused him to break his purpose.
39:2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, [even] from good;
c and my sorrow was stirred.
(c) Though when the wicked ruled he thought to have kept
silence, yet his zeal caused him to change his mind.
39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire
burned: [then] d spake I with my tongue,
(d) He confesses that he grudged against God, considering
the greatness of his sorrows, and the shortness of his
life.
39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days [as] an handbreadth; and
mine age [is] as nothing before thee: verily every man at
his best state [is] altogether e vanity. Selah.
(e) Yet David offended in that he reasoned with God as
though he were too severe toward his weak creature.
39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the
reproach of the f foolish.
(f) Do not make me a laughing stock to the wicked, wrap me
up with the wicked when they are put to shame.
39:9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because g thou didst
[it].
(g) Seeing my troubles came from your providence, I ought
to have endured them patiently.
39:11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou
h makest his i beauty to consume away like a moth:
surely every man [is] vanity. Selah.
(h) Though your open plagues do not light on them forever,
yet your secret curse continually frets them.
(i) The word signifies all that he desires, as health,
force, strength, beauty, and in whatever he has
delight, so that the rod of God takes away all that is
desired in this world.
39:13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, k before I go
hence, and be no more.
(k) For his sorrow caused him to think that God would
destroy him completely, by which we see how hard it is
for the saints to keep a measure in their words, when
death and despair assails them.
