Psalms 39:11
Psalms 39:11 in Multiple Translations
You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor. Selah
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.
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
By the weight of your wrath against man's sin, the glory of his form is wasted away; truly every man is but a breath. (Selah.)
When you discipline us, reprimanding us for our sins, it's like a moth eating up what is precious to us. All of us are just a breath… Selah.
When thou with rebukes doest chastise man for iniquitie, thou as a mothe makest his beautie to consume: surely euery man is vanitie. Selah.
With reproofs against iniquity, Thou hast corrected man, And dost waste as a moth his desirableness, Only, vanity [is] every man. Selah.
When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, you consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath.” Selah.
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.
I have not hid thy justice within my heart: I have declared thy truth and thy salvation. I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from a great council.
When you rebuke someone and punish him for the sin that he has committed, you destroy the things that ◄he loves/are precious to him►, like moths’ larva destroy clothing. Our lives disappear like a puff of wind. (Think about that!)
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 39:11
BAB
Word Study
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Psalms 39:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הָסֵ֣ר
מֵ/עָלַ֣/י
נִגְעֶ֑/ךָ
מִ/תִּגְרַ֥ת
יָ֝דְ/ךָ֗
אֲנִ֣י
כָלִֽיתִי
הָסֵ֣ר
çûwr
H5493
to turn aside
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
מֵ/עָלַ֣/י
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Prep | Suff
נִגְעֶ֑/ךָ
negaʻ
H5061
plague
N-ms | Suff
מִ/תִּגְרַ֥ת
tigrâh
H8409
strife
Prep | N-fs
יָ֝דְ/ךָ֗
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cs | Suff
אֲנִ֣י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
כָלִֽיתִי
kâlâh
H3615
to end
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 39:11
הָסֵ֣ר
çûwr
H5493
"to turn aside"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
To turn aside or remove is the meaning of this verb, used in various forms throughout the Bible. It can mean to depart, avoid, or put something away, and is often used in the context of turning away from sin or wrongdoing, as seen in the actions of prophets and leaders in the Old Testament.
Definition: : remove 1) to turn aside, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn aside, turn in unto 1a2) to depart, depart from way, avoid 1a3) to be removed 1a4) to come to an end 1b) (Polel) to turn aside 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to turn aside, cause to depart, remove, take away, put away, depose 1c2) to put aside, leave undone, retract, reject, abolish 1d) (Hophal) to be taken away, be removed
Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), [idiom] grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, [idiom] be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without. See also: Genesis 8:13; 2 Samuel 6:10; Psalms 6:9.
מֵ/עָלַ֣/י
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
נִגְעֶ֑/ךָ
negaʻ
H5061
"plague"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to a plague or disease, like leprosy. It is used in Leviticus to describe the effects of sin and in Deuteronomy to warn against disobedience. The word can also mean a wound or a spot.
Definition: 1) stroke, plague, disease, mark, plague spot 1a) stroke, wound 1b) stroke (metaphorical of disease) 1c) mark (of leprosy)
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: plague, sore, stricken, stripe, stroke, wound. See also: Genesis 12:17; Leviticus 13:55; Psalms 38:12.
מִ/תִּגְרַ֥ת
tigrâh
H8409
"strife"
Prep | N-fs
This word signifies strife or conflict, often referring to a violent or hostile act. It is also translated as 'blow' in some contexts.
Definition: contention, strife, conflict, hostility
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: blow. See also: Psalms 39:11.
יָ֝דְ/ךָ֗
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
אֲנִ֣י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
כָלִֽיתִי
kâlâh
H3615
"to end"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to finish or end something, like completing a task or using up a resource, as seen in Genesis 2:2 where God finished creating the heavens and earth.
Definition: : finish 1) to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be at an end 1a2) to be completed, be finished 1a3) to be accomplished, be fulfilled 1a4) to be determined, be plotted (bad sense) 1a5) to be spent, be used up 1a6) to waste away, be exhausted, fail 1a7) to come to an end, vanish, perish, be destroyed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, bring to an end, finish 1b2) to complete (a period of time) 1b3) to finish (doing a thing) 1b4) to make an end, end 1b5) to accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass 1b6) to accomplish, determine (in thought) 1b7) to put an end to, cause to cease 1b8) to cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend 1b9) to destroy, exterminate 1c) (Pual) to be finished, be ended, be completed
Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste. See also: Genesis 2:1; 2 Chronicles 29:17; Psalms 18:38.
Study Notes — Psalms 39:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 39:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 39:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 39:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 39:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 39:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 39:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 39:11
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 39:11
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 39:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 39:11
- Sermons on Psalms 39:11
Context — I Will Watch My Ways
9I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done.
10Remove Your scourge from me; I am perishing by the force of Your hand.
11You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor. Selah
12Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers. 13Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 13:28 | So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment. |
| 2 | 1 Corinthians 11:30–32 | That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. |
| 3 | Isaiah 50:9 | Surely the Lord GOD helps Me. Who is there to condemn Me? See, they will all wear out like a garment; the moths will devour them. |
| 4 | Hebrews 12:6 | For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” |
| 5 | Revelation 3:19 | Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent. |
| 6 | 1 Corinthians 5:5 | hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord. |
| 7 | Psalms 102:10–11 | because of Your indignation and wrath, for You have picked me up and cast me aside. My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass. |
| 8 | 2 Peter 2:16 | But he was rebuked for his transgression by a donkey, otherwise without speech, that spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. |
| 9 | Job 30:30 | My skin grows black and peels, and my bones burn with fever. |
| 10 | Hosea 5:12 | So I am like a moth to Ephraim, and like decay to the house of Judah. |
Psalms 39:11 Summary
[Psalms 39:11 teaches us that God disciplines and corrects us for our own good, to help us turn away from sin and back to Him. This can be a difficult process, but it's an important part of our growth as Christians, as we see in Hebrews 12:10. When God corrects us, He may take away things that are important to us, to help us focus on what's truly important - our relationship with Him (Matthew 6:21). By remembering that our lives are short and fleeting, like a vapor, we can learn to prioritize what really matters and trust God's loving correction in our lives.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God disciplines and corrects a man for his iniquity?
This refers to God's way of dealing with sin in our lives, as seen in Psalms 39:11, where He consumes like a moth what we hold dear to correct us and bring us back to Himself, similar to what is written in Hebrews 12:10, where God disciplines us for our good.
Why does the Bible say that each man is but a vapor?
This phrase, found in Psalms 39:11, emphasizes the fleeting nature of human life, as also mentioned in James 4:14, reminding us to prioritize our relationship with God and live with eternal perspective.
How does God's correction relate to what I hold dear?
According to Psalms 39:11, God may consume what we hold dear to correct us, teaching us to hold loosely to earthly things and to prioritize our love and devotion to Him, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:21.
What is the purpose of God's discipline in my life?
The purpose of God's discipline, as seen in Psalms 39:11, is to correct us and bring us back to a right relationship with Him, as written in Proverbs 3:12, where the Lord disciplines those He loves, and in Hebrews 12:11, where discipline yields a harvest of righteousness and peace.
Reflection Questions
- What are the things in my life that I hold dear, and am I willing to let God correct me if they are not in line with His will?
- How do I respond to God's discipline in my life, and what can I learn from times when He has corrected me in the past?
- In what ways can I prioritize my relationship with God and live with an eternal perspective, remembering that my life is but a vapor?
- What are some areas of my life where I need God's correction, and how can I humble myself to receive His discipline?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 39:11
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity,.... The psalmist illustrates his own case, before suggested, by the common case and condition of men, when God corrects them; which he has a
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 39:11
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. When thou with rebukes dost correct man.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 39:11
With rebukes, i. e. with punishment, which is oft so called. See 76:6. Dost correct man for iniquity, i. e. dost punish him as his iniquity deserves. His beauty, Heb. his desire, i.e. his desirable things, as this word signifies, 10:3,11,19. His comeliness, strength, wealth, and prosperity, and all his present excellencies or felicities. Like a moth; either, 1. Passively, as a moth is quickly and easily crushed to pieces with a touch as this phrase is used, . Or, 2. Actively as a moth consumeth a garment, as it is ; to which God compareth himself and his judgments, secretly and insensibly consuming a people, . Every man is vanity; and this confirms what I said , that every man is vanity; which though men in the height of their prosperity will not believe, yet when God contendeth with them by his judgments, they are forced to acknowledge it.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 39:11
Psalms 39:11 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 instruct him. Kimchi’ s note here is, Morbi sunt interpretes inter Deum et homines increpantes, ut Job 33:19. Diseases are God’ s chiding messages or real rebukes. Thou makest his beauty] Heb. whatsoever in him is desirable, all his prime and pride, pulchritudinem et praestantiam, his beauty and bravery, as that of Jonah’ s gourd. To consume away like a moth] Heb. To melt away as a moth, which is easily crushed between one’ s fingers, Job 4:19; or actively, as a moth, caeco morsu, doth secretly and suddenly consume the most precious garment, so dost thou the wicked by thy secret curse, though themselves or others little observe it. Quamvis non palam fulminet e caelo Deus (Vat.). Surely every man is vanity.
Selah] See Psalms 39:5.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 39:11
(11) When.—This is unnecessary. With judgments for sin Thou chastenest a man.Rebukes.—The word rendered “reproofs” in Psalms 38:14, where see Note. Beauty.—Literally, Something desirable. (See margin.) Thou, like a moth (consuming a garment: see Pr. Bk. Version), causest his desirable things to melt. (For the image, singularly apt. and natural in a country where “changes of raiment” were so prized, and hoarded up as wealth, comp. Job 13:28; Matthew 6:19; James 5:2.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 39:11
Verse 11. When thou with rebukes dost correct man] תוכחות tochachoth signifies a vindication of proceedings in a court of law, a legal defence. When God comes to maintain the credit and authority of his law against a sinner, he "causes his beauty to consume away:" a metaphor taken from the case of a culprit, who, by the arguments of counsel, and the unimpeachable evidence of witnesses, has the facts all proved against him, grows pale, looks terrified; his fortitude forsakes him, and he faints in court. Surely every man is vanity.] He is incapable of resistance; he falls before his Maker; and none can deliver him but his Sovereign and Judge, against whom he has offended. Selah.] This is a true saying, an everlasting truth.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 39:11
11. When thou with rebukes dost chasten a man for iniquity, Thou wastest like a moth his desirableness: Nought but vanity are all men. The A.V. obscures the correspondence of the first line with Psalms 38:1; Psalms 6:1. As easily as the moth-grub, working unseen, destroys ‘goodly raiment’ (Genesis 27:15), so easily does God’s chastisement destroy a man’s ‘goodliness,’ the bodily strength and beauty which make him attractive (Isaiah 53:2). It is God’s consuming ‘hand’ which is compared to the ‘moth’ (Hosea 5:12); not, as the A.V. might seem to imply, the ephemeral duration of man’s goodliness. Cp. Job 13:28; Isaiah 50:9; Isaiah 51:8.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 39:11
When thou with rebukes - The word here rendered “rebukes” means properly: (a) proof or demonstration; (b) confutation or contradiction; (c) reproof or admonition by words; (d) reproof by correction or punishment.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 39:11
11. When thou with rebukes—Still the psalmist holds before him the avenging hand of God, as in vers. 9, 10, as the efficient cause of his affliction.
Sermons on Psalms 39:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Call Not Thou Common by A.B. Simpson | Greek Word Studies, in a sermon about the destructive nature of moths as illustrated in the Bible, emphasizes how moth larvae feed on and destroy fabric, particularly wool, symboli |
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The Nature of God by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that our pursuit of happiness is deeply ingrained in our nature as human beings. However, he warns against the delusion that positions or ho |
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Peter Rejects Christ by Welcome Detweiler | In this sermon, missionary Alexander Clark shares a story about a young man who falls down while carrying groceries and is advised to wait for hyenas to come and get him. Clark use |
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The Fear of God (01) Introduction by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of witnessing a man struggling to walk and falling down. Instead of laughing, the speaker realizes that this is an opportun |
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When Ministry Becomes Idolatry by Shane Idleman | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the challenges and power of breaking free from idolatry and self-exaltation. He emphasizes the danger of being driven by the pace of life and |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 118 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of guarding one's family from the busyness that can distract them from worshiping and being together. He highlights Satan's d |
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Letters to Olympias - Part 1 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom addresses the deaconess Olympias, encouraging her to endure suffering with patience and faith. He reminds her of the trials faced by Job and Lazarus, emphasizing th |