Psalms 39:2
“I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.”
Psalms 39:2 in 8 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
- DRADouay–Rheims
- I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence from good things : and my sorrow was renewed.
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; And my sorrow was stirred.
- DARBYDarby
- I was dumb with silence, I held my peace from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
- WEBThe World English Bible
- I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- I was dumb with silence, I kept silent from good, and my pain is excited.
- BPVBiblePics Version
- I remained silent, holding back even good words, and my sorrow grew within me.
- BPVBiblePics Version
- I remained silent, holding back even good words, and my sorrow grew within me.
Context: 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.
2I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
3My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
4LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
About Psalms 39: Reflections on the Fragility of Life
Psalm 39 is a deeply personal meditation on the fleeting nature of human life. The speaker reflects on their own mortality and the brevity of their time on earth. The psalmist struggles with the tension of being both finite and eternal, and grapples with the weight of their own sinfulness.
Commentary
The book of Psalms is a collection of prayers, songs, and poetry that express the range of human emotion and experience. In Psalm 39, the speaker is confronted with their own mortality and the shortness of life. They are honest about their own struggles and shortcomings, acknowledging their sinfulness and asking for forgiveness. The psalmist also wrestles with the question of the purpose and meaning of life. They question the fleeting nature of human accomplishments and possessions, recognizing that they are ultimately meaningless in the face of death. Yet even in the midst of this existential crisis, the speaker finds comfort in the knowledge that they are not alone. They acknowledge that God is with them, even in their struggles, and ultimately find hope in the promise of redemption and eternal life. Psalm 39 serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of living with intention and purpose. It is a powerful reflection on the human condition and a testament to the enduring value of faith and hope.