Psalm 39:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 39:7-13

The psalmist, having meditated on the shortness and uncertainty of life, and the vanity and vexation of spirit that attend all the comforts of life, here, in these verses, turns his eyes and heart heaven-ward. When there is no solid satisfaction to be had in the creature it is to be found in God, and in communion with him; and to him we should be driven by our disappointments in the world. David here expresses, I. His dependence on God, Ps. 39:7. Seeing all is vanity, and man himself is so, 1.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 39:11

When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity ,.... The psalmist illustrates his own case, before suggested, by the common case and condition of men, when God corrects them; which he has a right to do, as the Father of spirits, and which he does with rebukes; sometimes with rebukes of wrath, with furious rebukes, rebukes in flames of fire, as the men of the world; and sometimes with rebukes of love, the chastenings of a father, as his own dear children; and always for iniquity,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 39:11

When thou with rebukes dost correct man - תוכחות tochachoth signifies a vindication of proceedings in a court of law, a legal defense. When God comes to maintain the credit and authority of his law against a sinner, he "causes his beauty to consume away:" a metaphor taken from the case of a culprit, who, by the arguments of counsel, and the unimpeachable evidence of witnesses, has the facts all proved against him, grows pale, looks terrified; his fortitude forsakes him, and he faints in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 39:1-13

The title assigns the psalm to David, and represents him as having committed the composition for musical arrangement to the precentor, or choir-master, of the time, who is then named as Jeduthun, one of the chief musicians in David's service ( 1 Chronicles 16:41 , 1 Chronicles 16:42 ; 1 Chronicles 25:3-6 ). There is no reason to dispute this attribution. The poetic beauty of the composition is great, and the circumstances are such as suit David's early life. The pause-sign,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 39:1-13

Unburdening the heart to God in a time of sore affliction, when nothing can be said to man. Jeduthun, whose name stands at the head of Psalms 39:1-13 , Psalms 62:1-12 , and Psalms 77:1-20 , was one of a musical family entrusted with the conduct of the musical service in the time of David. The psalms having his name at the head were probably intended to be sung by his choir. £ It would thus seem that in the Hebrew service of sacred song the prayers and plaints of the individual... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 39:1-13

Lessons from a funeral. It is toll of Archbishop Leighton that a friend once met him by the way, and said, "You have been to hear a sermon?" His answer was, "I met a sermon—a sermon de facto , for I met a corpse, and rightly and profitably are the funeral rites performed, when the living lay it to heart." This psalm, so often read at deaths and funerals, suggests some precious lessons for such solemn occasions. 1 . A funeral is a time for silence. There is much to think of and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 39:11

When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity . The calamities which God sends on a man are of the nature of "rebukes" addressed to his spirit. They are intended to teach, instruct, warn, deter from evil-doing (see Job 36:8-10 ). Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth ; or, "thou dost consume, as by a moth, what he prizes;" i.e. his health, his strength, "all wherein he has joy and satisfaction" (Hengstenberg). As a moth corrodes a beautiful garment, so does thy... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 39:11

When thou with rebukes - The word here rendered “rebukes” means properly:(a) proof or demonstration;(b) confutation or contradiction;(c) reproof or admonition by words;(d) reproof by correction or punishment.This is the meaning here. The idea of the psalmist is, that God, by punishment or calamity, expresses his sense of the evil of human conduct; and that, under such an expression of it, man, being unable to sustain it, melts away or is destroyed.Dost correct man for iniquity - Dost punish man... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 39:10-11

Psalms 39:10-11. Remove thy stroke away from me But though I may not, I will not, open my mouth to complain, yet I may open it to pray, that thou wouldest take off the judgment that thou hast inflicted upon me. I am consumed, &c. Help me, therefore, before I be utterly and irrecoverably lost. When thou with rebukes That is, with punishments, which are often so called; dost correct man for iniquity Dost punish him as his iniquity deserves. Thou makest his beauty to consume away ... read more

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