Psalms 39:1 «To the chief Musician, [even] to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. » 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. Ver. 1. _I said, I will take heed_] He resolved so, Psalms 38:13,14, _sc._ to continue a... [ Continue Reading ]
I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, [even] from good; and my sorrow was stirred. Ver. 2. _I was dumb with silence_] As not willing either to open the mouths of those dead dogs or to cast pearls before those sensual swine. _ I held my peace, even from good_] That good which I might have spoke... [ Continue Reading ]
_My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: [then] spake I with my tongue,_ Ver. 3. _My heart was hot within me_] It was almost suffocated for want of vent. By heat of heart and fire kindled, saith one, the prophet meaneth, not only the greatness of his grief, as they that are... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it [is; that] I may know how frail I [am]. Ver. 4. _Lord, make me to know mine end_] This Austin expoundeth of heaven, the end of all his troubles, which he now sighed after. But Vatablus, Calvin, and most modern interpreters conceive... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, thou hast made my days [as] an handbreadth; and mine age [is] as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state [is] altogether vanity. Selah. Ver. 5. _Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth_] _i.e._ Four fingers broad (which is one of the least geometrical measures, or a... [ Continue Reading ]
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them. Ver. 6. _Surely every man walketh in a vain show_] Heb. in an image, or in a shadow, as Job 14:2; in the shadow of death, as some sense it; his life is like a... [ Continue Reading ]
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope [is] in thee. Ver. 7. _And now, Lord, what wait I for?_] _q.d._ _Absit ergo ut de istis quisquiliis sim anxius,_ Far be it from me to trouble myself about these transitory trifles; I am bent to depend on thee alone, to wait for thy favour, and desire it above... [ Continue Reading ]
Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. Ver. 8. _Deliver me from all my transgressions_] But especially from that of impatiently desiring to die out of discontent, Psalms 39:4. The sense of this one sin brought many more to remembrance; as a man, by looking o... [ Continue Reading ]
I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst [it]. Ver. 9. _I was dumb, I opened not my mouth_] Or better thus, I should have been dumb, and not have opened my mouth, according to my first resolution. I should not have reasoned, or rather wrangled, with thee, as Psalms 39:4, but have kisse... [ Continue Reading ]
Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. Ver. 10. _Remove thy stroke away from me_] Having first prayed off his sin, he would now pray off his pain, though it less troubled him; and for ease he repaireth to Jehovah, that healeth as well as woundeth, Hosea 6:1 . - _n... [ Continue Reading ]
_When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man [is] vanity. Selah._ Ver. 11. _When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity_] Or shouldest thou but correct him according to his iniquity; correct him, I say, or instr... [ Continue Reading ]
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I [am] a stranger with thee, [and] a sojourner, as all my fathers [were]. Ver. 12. _Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear, &c._] My prayer, my cry, my tears. See how his ardency in prayer grew by degrees, and so availe... [ Continue Reading ]
O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more. Ver. 13. _O spare me, that I may recover strength_] _Ut refociller, reficiar._ Job maketh the like request, Job 10:20. Some breathing while they would have, and a time to recollect themselves, before that last, great encoun... [ Continue Reading ]