Psalms 39:1

PSALM 39

THE BREVITY AND VANITY OF LIFE

The superscription entitles this psalm, 'The Vanity of Life,' but the brevity of life is also a feature. It is labeled 'A Psalm of David,' 'for the Chief Musician, for Jeduthun.'

"Jeduthun, in this and in Psalms 62 and Psalms 72, was one of David's three Music leaders, the other two being Asaph and Heman (1 Chronicles 16:37-42). He was also the King's Seer (2 Chronicles 35:15)."[1]

William Jones has an outline of this psalm, as follows: (1) Silence in Trouble (Psalms 39:1-3); (2) Speech in Trouble (Psalms 39:4:6); and (3) Supplication in Trouble (Psalms 39:7-13).[2]

There are a number of interpretations of these verses. (1) One view is that, "The psalmist's breaking his vow of silence was sinful and that Psalms 39:4-11 are his plea for forgiveness."[3] Another view is that his breaking silence was altogether justified as in the case of Jeremiah (Jer.20:9).[4]

Far too little is known about the actual circumstances that resulted in this psalm's composition to provide very much certainty regarding exactly what is meant in every line.

"Ewald called this 'The most beautiful of all the elegies in the Psalter.'"[5]

Spurgeon's summary of the psalm has this:

"The psalmist is bowed down with sickness and sorrow, and is burdened by unbelieving thoughts and doubts, about which he resolves to be silent. His unsupportable grief demands expression, resulting in the prayer of Psalms 39:3-6, wherein is a very despondent picture of human life."[6]

Regarding the authorship: the assignment of the psalm to David in the superscription is the only information available on this question; and Delitzsch has declared that there is no authority whatever for critical assignment of it to, "any particular poet, other than David."[7]

In this study, we shall examine the verses one by one.

Psalms 39:1

"I said, I will take heed to my ways,

That I sin not with my tongue:

I will keep my mouth with a bridle,

While the wicked is before me."

In common language, of course, this is merely a pledge on the part of the psalmist to keep his mouth shut. It is a fine resolution for most people, especially with regard to all complaints, criticisms, gossip, and many other elements that sometimes are featured in popular conversation.

Also, in the particular situation here, an unusually good reason for this self-imposed intention of silence is given in the final clause.

"Keep my mouth with a bridle" (Psalms 39:1). Several have pointed out that the true meaning here is 'muzzle,' not 'bridle.'

"While the wicked is before me" (Psalms 39:1). Rawlinson admitted that this rendition is the literal meaning but preferred the Prayer-book Version. "While the ungodly is in my sight."[8]

We are not very impressed with the imaginary "reasons" some writers have assigned for this silence in the presence of the ungodly.

Some have "guessed" that David was so impatient with God's treatment of him and so concerned with doubts and unbelief that he was afraid he might say something that would cause his enemies to declare that he had lost his faith. Maybe so; but I find nothing in the psalm that backs up such an idea.

Of course, if that was indeed the situation, silence was certainly appropriate, "Because God's people are not at liberty to express doubts or complaints, if doing so would give the wicked a chance to blaspheme, or if it should unsettle the faith of any believer."[9]

However, as Spurgeon noted, "Silence in the presence of the ungodly is especially wise, `Because bad men are sure to misuse even our holiest speech; and it is well not to cast our pearls before such swine.'"[10]

Whatever the reason for David's silence, the presence of the ungodly certainly was an element leading to his decision. We do not understand this as any 'Vow to God' on David's part. There is nothing here that suggests that.