Psalm 39

0To the leader: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1  I said, “I will guard my ways
  that I may not sin with my tongue;
 I will keep a muzzle on my mouth
  as long as the wicked are in my presence.”
2  I was silent and still;
  I held my peace to no avail;
 my distress grew worse,
3   my heart became hot within me.
 While I mused, the fire burned;
  then I spoke with my tongue:
4  “LORD, let me know my end,
  and what is the measure of my days;
  let me know how fleeting my life is.
5  You have made my days a few handbreadths,
  and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight.
 Surely everyone stands as a mere breath.  Selah
6   Surely everyone goes about like a shadow.
 Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
  they heap up, and do not know who will gather.
7  “And now, O Lord, what do I wait for?
  My hope is in you.
8  Deliver me from all my transgressions.
  Do not make me the scorn of the fool.
9  I am silent; I do not open my mouth,
  for it is you who have done it.
10  Remove your stroke from me;
  I am worn down by the blows of your hand.
11  “You chastise mortals
  in punishment for sin,
 consuming like a moth what is dear to them;
  surely everyone is a mere breath.  Selah
12  “Hear my prayer, O LORD,
  and give ear to my cry;
  do not hold your peace at my tears.
 For I am your passing guest,
  an alien, like all my forebears.
13  Turn your gaze away from me, that I may smile again,
  before I depart and am no more.”

Daily Prayer (based on Psalm 39:4)

Lord, at first this seems like a dismal request: Let me know how short my life is, and how quickly it is passing by. Yet, as I reflect further, I realize that there is grace in the recognition of my mortality.

First, there's the grace of humility, when I recognize how small I am, how short my life is, and how insignificant I am in "the big picture." Yet when I connect with You, I'm part of something that matters, something that lasts forever. In You alone do I find eternal purpose.

Then there's the grace of valuing life more fully. When I recognize how quickly my life is passing, I want to treasure it more fondly, to delight in each moment You give me.

Postscript

"It was the pangs of sorrow which forced David to give utterance to these complaints; but it is to be observed, that it is chiefly when men are sore oppressed by adversity that they are made to feel their nothingness in the sight of God. Prosperity so intoxicates them, that, forgetful of their  condition, and sunk in insensibility, they dream of an immortal state on earth. It is very profitable for us to know our own frailty, but we must beware lest, on account of it, we fall into such a state of sorrow as may lead us to murmur and repine. David speaks truly and wisely in declaring, that man, even when he seems to have risen to the highest state of greatness, is only like the bubble which rises upon the water, blown up by the wind; but he is in fault when he takes occasion from this  to complain of God. Let us, therefore, so feel the misery of our present condition, as that, however cast down and afflicted, we may, as humble suppliants, lift up our eyes to God, and implore his mercy." (John Calvin, Commentary on Psalm 39:4)

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Except for the Scripture text, all material of The Daily Psalm Copyright © 2006 by Mark D. Roberts

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The Scripture text used in The Daily Psalm is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved