Keraia
Psalm 39

Psalm 39:4

I Will Watch My Ways · Psalm 39:1–13
Read Psalm 39

Translations

Modern
“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.
Traditional
Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
Literal
“Cause me to know, O YHWH, my end, and the measure of my days—what is it?—That I may know how fleeting I am.
Latin
Locutus sum in lingua mea: Notum fac mihi, Domine, finem meum, et numerum dierum meorum quis est, ut sciam quid desit mihi.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.

Notes

Psalms 39:4–5

how fleeting my life is: This perspective comes out of suffering (see Psalms 78:39; 89:47–48; 90:3–10). The human lifetime is but a moment to God (Psalm 90:4), as temporary as a breath (see Psalms 39:11; 144:4).

Psalms 39:4–6

Due to his suffering and sin, the psalmist concludes that life is meaningless and short (see Job 7:7–10; Isaiah 40:6–8). He had expected only a wicked life to be like that (see Psalms 37:2, 20; 103:15–16), but now it seems irrelevant whether a person is godly or not.

Psalms 39:1–13

This prayer for rescue shows the psalmist's discouragement, which comes from not fully understanding his situation.

Theme notes and profiles

David Complaints Wisdom Psalms

Glossary

David Ethan Jeduthun Music Psalms, Book of

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Death: Preparation For Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To How Long we Will Live Life: Brevity and Uncertainty of Measures: (The Measure of Our Days) the Shortness of Life Natural Death: Pray to be Prepared For Natural Death: Regard, As at Hand Prayer Under Affliction: That we May be Taught the Uncertainty of Life Time Management Wisdom: Prayer for Spiritual