Psalm 39

Have you ever been utterly confused at the happenings in your life why they seem so contrary to your hopes and plans?  You might even be a committed Christian to the Lord and to His word, but yet your periods of failure have left you confused.  There is wisdom for you here in this Psalm.  It is a”Lament”, a form of wisdom that calls upon saddened and confused believers to contemplate what might be happening.  The Psalm, which flows from the heart of the heartbroken, should be read like healthy advice for anyone who wishes for their life to have significance.

 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.  I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; And my sorrow was stirred. vv.1-2

Stop and prayerfully be silent.  Though you live in a busy world, exit it for a moment to sit alone with God and analyze behavior in your life with the Righteousness of God.

In the Psalmist personal situation, he or she has difficulty controlling their talk in confrontations thus giving their “enemy” ammunition to make attacks.  So the Psalmist has taken measures to be more silent, less talkative and more observant.  “What is the reason for my suffering? Did I say something to bring this upon myself?  How much is out of my control?  What do I need to trust God with?  What guidance would God’s word give me to have a better understanding? How can the principles of the Gospel apply to this area in my life? What am I not surrendering?”

There are more questions one could ask themselves, but one cannot do so if they do not quite themselves long enough to make any observation.  This is a lament, a time of sorrow before the Lord because of some failure.  But in wisdom, the Psalmist realizes that time is short and he or she wishes to be profitable and joyful while they are here.

My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned: Then spake I with my tongue vv.3

The Psalmist quiet time proved useful and effective.  He or she discovered things that wasn’t apparent before and led to their “hot” discovery.  The author’s lament turns to anger over the foolish behavior that lead to recent frustrations and failure.  Now the Psalmist will easily turn to the Lord and ask for grace to conquer shortcomings that life would resume its joyful course.

Lord, Make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is; That I may know how frail I am.   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. 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. vv.4-6

The most fundamental element the Psalmist realizes he or she lacks is wisdom to measure the days and doings of their life.  The author wisely reminds him or herself the shortness of life and the necessity to redeem time for the Lord.  Finally it will be the Lord who weighs the doings of man’s heart, and so it is only proper to look to God for guidance to partake in a life that He would approve.  Anything less than this is utter vanity and will come to nothing.  The sting of failure will ultimately never be removed, but with God, our failures can still be made into something positive.  The pursuit of money and riches is utterly worthless, though the world has ascribed wisdom and knowledge to those who find it.  Don’t follow them for their lives end in misery and vanity.

And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.  Deliver me from all my transgressions: Make me not the reproach of the foolish. vv.7-8

Final belief is utter reliance on God and not just partially.  A sane human being cannot presume to know everything that is needful to make proper judgements of himself or the world, there is only One who can do so.  The appropriate response to God is utter humility and allegiance. This hope and trust is faith that makes one righteous and accepted in God’s eyes.  Though we fill our days will foolishness, still the faith in our God who gave the Lord Jesus Christ to save the foolish, imputes righteous perfection to our souls.   Our meaning is found in Christ alone, and so let our reflection find its resting place in the cross and how we might closer be drawn to Him who died and loved us.