Psalms 39

To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.

This psalm agrees, in all material features, as also in date and general occasion, with Psalms 38:0, with this single peculiarity the author here indulges more in general reflections upon the brevity of life, the vanity of earthly grandeur, and the deceitful and unsatisfying nature of worldly prosperity. From his nearness to death, and the depth of his humiliation, he now surveys human life in its true relations to eternity, and prays, (Psalms 39:4,) like Moses, (Psalms 90:12,) for a practical estimate of its brevity. He observes the same reticence before enemies as in Psalms 38:0, (comp. Psalms 39:1-2; Psalms 39:9, and Psalms 38:13-14,) confesses the same sins, (Psalms 39:8; Psalms 38:4; Psalms 38:18,) feels the same impending dread of reproach, (Psalms 39:8; Psalms 38:16,) and apprehension of speedy death without help from God, Psalms 39:12-13; Psalms 38:10; Psalms 38:17; Psalms 38:22.TITLE:

To Jeduthun The name of one of David’s choristers, 1 Chronicles 16:41-42; 1 Chronicles 25:1-3. His descendants, being also choristers, went by the same name, Nehemiah 11:17. The name also occurs in the titles of Psalms 62, , 77, which see.