PSALM 39 The meaning Verse by Verse

Last Updated on September 22, 2021 by Pastor Ikechukwu Chinedum

Today we would be going through the book of Psalm 39, the meaning verse by verse. These Psalm like any other Psalm is written by King David, the ruler of Israel, the man after God’s heart and the greatest King that ever graced the earth. This Psalm can be used to plea for God’s wisdom and also ask for forgiveness.

Psalm 39 also can be used to plead to God to show us mercy, and help us to work before him righteously. As humans it is very easy to fall into sin, this Psalm can be used when one is in an emotional state of mind and struggling to get God’s salvation. This book of Psalm can serve as a way of guarding one’s tongue and also discipline oneself from falling into all sorts of temptations.

Having established that Psalm 39 can serve as a way of disciplining and taming us and rendering it to God as a way of asking for total dealing of God on us. It is expedient that we do the analysis of each of this great scripture for a better understanding.

PSALM 39 The meaning Verse by Verse

Verse1 and 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.

Here, he saw the importance of silence. There’s time for everything, as to there is time to plant and to harvest, there is time to speak and not to speak too. Thus these two verses can be rendered when one needs to remain silent less we say we are reproached and unjustly accused by the wicked. We can meditate in silence. Here David was conscious of not sinning with his tongue which can spat out I’ll words while waiting on the Lord, in this verse we can beg to instruct us on what to do between corruption, the patience of what we are asking for.

Verse 3-My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, Lord, make me know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.

When reflecting on a situation the verses can be used to cry out our exasperation to God, The verses can be prayed to seek God’s wisdom. Regardless of one’s position, one must come before God with all humility. It can be prayed to ask God for help to know the plans God has set for us as an individual.

Verse 4-6Lord, make me know my 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 a handbreadth, and my age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. 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.

David knew his place before God, he even compared himself to a hand breadth. He knew only God can show him mercy, and help him out in the situation he found himself. This way we can pray these verses to God to help us with a lowly heart we ask God for what we want, we can commit the whole of our affairs into God’s hands as life is short and it isn’t of he that willeth but only God can show mercy to us. As frail as we are, we have no power of our own, only God can help us.

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

These verses can be used to make confessions to God, how you trust him, how you take him to be your confidant, how you have blind faith in him to see you through all situations. When going through a situation, you can pray these verses to renew your hope In Him. We can ask God for help using these verses that you know He is for you. Put each of your expectations and hope on God. The latter verse can be used to ask for forgiveness and pardon for each of your sins. Also, a prayer that can be prayed that the enemies should not rejoice over your downfall, but God should uplift you in all of your endeavors.

Verse 9-11 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it. Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity.

These verses can be used to back up our faith and help us walk with God as we are on a temporary journey here on earth. As we go about our daily activities, we can memorize these verses as constant reminders that our journey here on Earth is like that of a leaf that lives in the morning and withers at night. Also using these verses we can pour out our heart desires to God, we should believe that God will always fight our battles for us, we should depend totally on His and not continue to speak vain words. These verses can also be prayed when we need God to relieve us from our afflictions.

Verse 12-13 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.:O spare me, that I may recover strength before I go hence, and be no more.

These verses can be rendered as a humble prayer for restored favor and to regain one’s strength. 

                 WHEN DO I NEED THIS PSALM

This book of Psalm 39 can be prayed when:

• When your soul is comfortless and in turmoil
• When you need God’s wisdom and favor
• When you want God to fight for you
• When asking God for forgiveness
• When you need your hope, strength to be restored
• When you need your tongue to bridle before your tormentors.    

PSALMS 39 PRAYERS

• Lord God, I pray that you help me bridle my tongue and help me understand that your silence is not denial
• Lord God, help me to always remember that you and you alone can fight my battles and win my battles.
• Lord help me not to be proud, help me to reference you always
• Lord help me to understand your purpose for me and to know that you’re always there for me
• Lord forgive my iniquities and help me to always depend on you, God.