For What Do I Wait – Psalm 39

There is a Jeduthun who was “head of a family of singers, whom David singled out from among the levites (I Chron. 25:1). His song was considered the expression of prophetic inspiration: “Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising the Lord” (I Chron. 25:3; cf. 6:41). He was also known as “the king’s seer” (II Chron. 35:15), but whether he is being referred to here, and in Psalms 62 and 77, or not is uncertain.

To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”  I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.  My heart became hot within me.  As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:

“O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!  Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you.  Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah   Surely a man goes about as a shadow!  Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?  My hope is in you.  Deliver me from all my transgressions.  Do not make me the scorn of the fool!  I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it.  Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand.  When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah

“Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears!  For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers.  Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!”  (Psalm 39 ESV)

When we are disciplined by God for our sin we experience Him taking from us the things we hold dear and those are usually related to our amassing wealth.  We amass wealth because we want security in life and life seems so long and drawn out and we are desperate for protection against its sufferings.  Then when God reveals our turmoil over self-protection and disciplines us we are tempted to say things that might put Him in a bad light. 

Instead, we need to learn that our days are fleeting, a mere breath.  There is a whole eternity with God awaiting us and this life.  Measured against that, life must be lived in obedience and trust in the One who made us.  Nevertheless, we long for God to cease His discipline, to look away from us, so that life may take on its more enjoyable aspects again.