Psalm 39:4 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 39:4

Lord, make me to know mine end - This expresses evidently the substance of those anxious and troubled thoughts Psalms 39:1-2 to which he had been unwilling to give utterance. His thoughts turned on the shortness of life; on the mystery of the divine arrangement by which it had been made so short; and on the fact that so many troubles and sorrows had been crowded into a life so frail and so soon to terminate. With some impatience, and with a consciousness that he had been indulging feelings on... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 39:4

Psalms 39:4. Lord, make me to know mine end The end of my life, as is evident from the following words; and the measure of my days, what it is How short it is; or, how near is the period of the days of my life; that I may know how frail I am Hebrew, מה חדל אני , meh-chadeel ani, quam desinens sire, quam cito desinam esse, quam parum durem, what a transient, momentary being I am, how soon I shall cease to be, how little a while I shall continue, namely, on earth. He does not mean,... 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 39:4

frail = short lived. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 39:4

"Jehovah, make me to know mine end,And the measure of my days, what it is;Let me know how frail I am."Barnes and many other scholars have labeled this request of David, "As an expression of impatience ... which the psalmist knew was not right";[13] but it is possible that something else is intended here. Addis points out that, according to Duhm, "In this Psalm, the psalmist has the idea of personal and conscious immortality before him. He longs to know whether his life, or at least his full... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 39:4

Psalms 39:4. Lord, make me to know mine end, &c.— The Lord hath shewn me my end, and the measure of my days what it is: I know how perishing I am. Mudge; who observes, that this translation seems much better to agree with what follows, and indeed the whole design of the psalm, than if in the imperative. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 39:4

4-7. Some take these words as those of fretting, but they are not essentially such. The tinge of discontent arises from the character of his suppressed emotions. But, addressing God, they are softened and subdued. make me to know mine end—experimentally appreciate. how frail I am—literally, "when I shall cease." read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 39:1-6

1. The brevity of life 39:1-6 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 39:1-13

Psalms 39David seems to have composed this individual lament during a prolonged illness that almost proved fatal (cf. Job). He petitioned God to extend his days rather than to continue the chastening. This psalm is quite similar to the preceding one, but in this one David did not mention opposition from his enemies.Jeduthun, mentioned in the title, was one of David’s chief musicians (1 Chronicles 16:41-42). Perhaps David wrote the psalm for Jeduthun to perform or lead, or for the group of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 39:4-6

David finally found relief in expressing his frustration to God. He prayed that God would teach him to appreciate the brevity of human life (cf. Psalms 90:10; Psalms 90:12). Evidently David was an old man at this time. His life seemed very short looking back on it. People measured short distances with handbreadths in David’s time (Psalms 39:5). The pursuits of life are relatively insignificant in view of the short time we live. read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 39:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 39:4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 39:1-13

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 39:4

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 39:4

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 39:4

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 39:4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 39:1-6

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 39:1-13

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 39:4-6

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