Psalm 39:1-40:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 39:1-6

David here recollects, and leaves upon record, the workings of his heart under his afflictions; and it is good for us to do so, that what was thought amiss may be amended, and what was well thought of may be improved the next time. I. He remembered the covenants he had made with God to walk circumspectly, and to be very cautious both of what he did and what he said. When at any time we are tempted to sin, and are in danger of falling into it, we must call to mind the solemn vows we have made... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 39:1

I said ,.... That is, in his heart; he purposed and determined within himself to do as follows; and he might express it with his mouth, and so his purpose became a promise; I will take heed to my ways ; as every good man should; that is, to all his actions, conduct, and conversation: it becomes him to take heed what ways he walks in; that they are the ways of God, which he directs to; that they are the ways of Christ, which he has left an example to follow in; and that they are according... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 39:1

I said, I will take heed to my ways - I must be cautious because of my enemies; I must be patient because of my afflictions; I must be watchful over my tongue, lest I offend my God, or give my adversaries any cause to speak evil of me. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 39:1

Verse 1 1.I said, I will take heed to my ways. David explains and illustrates the greatness of his grief by this circumstance, that, contrary to his inclination and resolution, he broke forth into the severest complaints. The meaning substantially is, that although he had subdued his heart to patience, and resolved to keep silence, yet the violence of his grief was such that it forced him to break his resolution, and extorted from him, if we might so speak, expressions which indicate that he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 39:1

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue. There are no grounds for connecting this silence with the abstinence from self-vindication mentioned in the preceding psalm ( Psalms 39:13 , 14). Indeed, it seems to have had a wholly different origin (see the introductory paragraph). I will keep my mouth with a bridle ; i.e. "curb my impatience, restrain and keep in my speech." While the wicked is before me. The Prayer-book Version is better, if less literal,... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 39:1

I said - This refers to a resolution which he had formed. He does not say, however, at what time of his life the resolution was adopted, or how long a period had elapsed from the time when he formed the resolution to the time when he thus made a record of it. He had formed the resolution on some occasion when he was greatly troubled with anxious thoughts; when, as the subsequent verses show, his mind was deeply perplexed about the divine administration, or the dealings of God with mankind. It... read more

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