Psalm 39:12-13 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 39:1-13

The afflicted man. The old question of the retributive justice of God lies at the bottom of this psalm. Why should the righteous be afflicted and the wicked prosper, since the sins of the latter are greater and more numerous than those of the former? But he has determined that he will not discuss his difficulties before the wicked, lest he should seem to complain of the Divine ways. But when he can no longer restrain speech, this is what he says, in which we have two main divisions of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 39:12

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears . Tears appeal to the Divine pity in an especial way. "Weep not!" said our Lord to the widow woman at Nain; and to Mary Magdalene, "Why weepest thou?" He himself offered up his supplications with strong crying and tears" ( Hebrews 5:7 ); and so his faithful servants ( Job 16:20 : Psalms 6:6 ; Psalms 42:3 ; Psalms 56:8 ; Isaiah 16:9 ; Isaiah 38:3 ; Jeremiah 15:17 ; Lamentations 2:11 ; Luke 7:38... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 39:13

O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more. The Psalmist, no longer anxious for death, but still expecting it, requests of God, in conclusion, a breathing-space, a short time of refreshment and rest, before he is called on to leave the earth and "be no more ;" i.e. bring his present state of existence to an end. Nothing is to be gathered from the expression used as to his expectation or non-expectation of a future life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 39:13

Death deprecated. "Spare me!" This prayer is common. From many a bed of sickness, and in the time of weakness and of fear, the mournful cry goes up to heaven. Often there is a gracious answer ( Isaiah 38:2 , Isaiah 38:5 ). But the mercy of God is not always remembered, nor the vows made in trouble performed. The words suggest— I. THAT DEATH IS AN EVENT OF DREAD SIGNIFICANCE . 1 . It puts an end to our present mode of being. "Be no more." Yet a little while,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 39:12

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry - That is, in view of my affliction and my sins; in view, also, of the perplexing questions which have agitated my bosom; the troublous thoughts which passed through my soul, which I did not dare to express before man Psalms 39:1-2, but which I have now expressed before thee.Hold not thy peace - Be not silent. Do not refuse to answer me; to speak peace to me.At my tears - Or rather, at my weeping; as if God heard the voice of his weeping.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 39:13

O spare me - The word used here - from שׁעה shâ‛âh - means “to look;” and then, in connection with the preposition, “to look away from;” and it here means, “Look away from me;” that is, Do not come to inflict death on me. Preserve me. The idea is this: God seemed to have fixed his eyes on him, and to be pursuing him with the expressions of his displeasure (compare Job 16:9); and the psalmist now prays that he would “turn away his eyes,” and leave him.That I may recover strength - The word... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 39:12

Psalms 39:12. Hold not thy peace at my tears Joined with my prayers. For I am a stranger, &c. Though I be not only a native, but actually king of this land, yet, in truth, I am but a stranger and sojourner, both in regard of my very uncertain and short continuance here, where I am only on my journey to my real and long home; and in respect of the many wants, hardships, contempts, and injuries to which I am exposed, as men usually are in strange lands. And, therefore, I greatly need... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 39:13

Psalms 39:13. O spare me Hebrew, השׁע ממני , hashang, memenni Desiste a me, desist, or cease from me, that is, from afflicting me: do not destroy me; my life at best is short, and full of trouble, and thou knowest sufficient for it is the evil thereof: do not add affliction to the afflicted. That I may recover strength Both in my outward and inward man, both which are much weakened and oppressed. Hebrew, אבליגה , abligah, recreabo me, that I may refresh myself or may be refreshed, ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 39:1-13

Psalm 38-39 The cries of the sickThe psalmist David felt that sometimes punishment for his sins took the form of sickness (e.g. Psalms 6:0) or opposition from those who envied or hated him (e.g. Psalms 25:0). Both elements appear again in the prayer of Psalms 38:0, which, being a confession of sin, was suitable to be offered with certain sacrifices.As the suffering David cries to God for mercy, he admits that, because of his sin, he deserves what he has got (38:1-4). He vividly describes the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 39:13

recover strength = be comforted. Hebrew "brighten up". read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 39:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 39:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 39:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 39:13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 39:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 39:13

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 39:12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 39:13

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 39:1-13

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 39:13

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