Psalms 39

Psalms 39:1

Paraphrase of Psalm 39: Inner Fire39:1-3 “I was fiercely determined to keep myself from rebelling or complaining against the Lord in spite of the extremity of my plight. I vowed to muzzle my mouth as long as I was in earshot of unbelievers; I didn’t want to give them any excuse for questioning the providence of God. So there I was, dumb and silent, with no outlet for my suppressed emotions. But it was of no use. My heart was red hot with indignation and perplexity. I couldn’t understand why the Lord was allowing me to endure such overwhelming grief. The more I nursed my bitterness of soul, the greater the inward pressure became. Finally all my pent up feelings burst forth in questioning prayer. 39:4-6 “LORD, how long is this nightmare going to last? Tell me how much time I have left, and when it is going to run out. At best the span of my life is only about the width of my palm; compared to Your eternity, my lifetime isn’t worth mentioning. All of us humans are as unsubstantial as a vapor. We go through life like phantoms. We rush around in frenzied activitybut what does it all amount to after all? We spend our lives scrimping and saving, and leave it all behind to be enjoyed by ingrates or fools or strangers! 39:7, 8 “So what hope do I have, Lord? My only hope is in You. Apart from You I have nothing. Deliver me from all my transgressionsparticularly those sins that might have brought this awful trouble into my life. I can’t stand the thought of foolish people gloating over my calamity. 39:9, 10 “You know how I have kept quiet since this trouble struck because I knew it came by Your permissive will. But now I am asking You to remove Your chastening hand from me; I am exhausted under Your recurring blows. 39:11 “When, Lord, You correct a man for his sins with various forms of discipline, he wastes away like a prized garment when it is eaten by moths. It is clear that we are all as transient as a vapor! 39:12, 13 “So I come to You, LORD, and ask You to hear my prayer. Hear and answer my urgent appeal. Don’t be unmoved by my tears. After all, I am like an overnight guest in this world of Yours, a nomad like my ancestors. All I ask is that You stop frowning on me in judgment and let me enjoy a brief period of health and happiness before I make my exit from the stage of life, never to be seen on earth again.”