Psalms 39:12 - Exposition

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 ; Acts 20:19 ). Hezekiah's tears especially moved God to pity him ( 2 Kings 20:5 ). For I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner . "Here we have no continuing city" ( Hebrews 13:14 ), but are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" ( Hebrews 11:13 ). Hence, being so weak and dependent, we may the more confidently claim God's pity. As all my fathers were (comp. Le 25:23, "The land is mine ; ye are strangers and sojourners with me ").