December 11
Reading: Psalm 39
To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1 I said, “I will guard my ways,
that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,
so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
2 I was mute and silent;
I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
3 My heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “O LORD, make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!
5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!
Selah
6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions.
Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
9 I am mute; I do not open my mouth,
for it is you who have done it.
10 Remove your stroke from me;
I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
11 When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin,
you consume like a moth what is dear to him;
surely all mankind is a mere breath!
Selah
12 “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry;
hold not your peace at my tears!
For I am a sojourner with you,
a guest, like all my fathers.
13 Look away from me, that I may smile again,
before I depart and am no more!”
Psalm 39 follows Psalm 38 for good reason. Psalm 38 explores the interaction between sin, sickness, and the wrath of God. Psalm 39 explores the interaction between sin, sickness, and the brevity of life.
Furthermore, in this psalm a particular kind of sin in in view. David does not want to sin with his words. You can tell in verses 1-3 that he is tempted to say something that he should not say. Maybe it is anger or scorn that he is holding back, or maybe it is gossip from which he must restrain himself, or maybe sarcasm and insult toward people with whom he disagrees.
I can relate. I perfected the gift of the snarky sarcastic insult when I was a teenager. I think that is not unusual. When hurt or in a debate with someone who says something foolish, I usually think of something very mean and cutting to say, and then I have to make myself not say it. It is as if I can see the hurting place in the other person and know just what to say to make them hurt more. I’m not proud of this. I know some of you can relate.
I think of the special warning of James 3 and the significance of the prayer of Psalm 141:3, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” What if my words will cause others to think less of God?
So, what does David do? Well, consider where he goes in verses 4 and 5. Right in the midst of the struggle he prays. He turns and talks to God and he talks to God about the brevity of life. Why? Well, in your life you are going to speak some 100 million words, most of them to other people. How many of those words are going to be words of blessing and eternal investment? How many of those words will be wasted or sinfully destructive? It matters forever.
After a musical interlude (Selah, a guitar solo?) so that we can ponder what he has said, David focuses squarely on the brevity of life and the foolishness of speaking folly and destruction. You see, when you and I speak sinfully, we invite God’s discipline. Why would you want to do that? Consider verse 9. When tempted to speak evil it is better to say nothing at all.
After another guitar solo, David finishes the psalm by asking God to hear his words as he passes through this life. Words spent talking to God are never wasted, always worth speaking.
When you are dealing with your own sin of saying things that do not honor God or bless other people try doing what David does. Talk to God first and think about the worth of your words, maybe read this psalm and allow David to guide you into eternal thoughts. After that you might be ready to talk to others.