Thematic Bible

Themes in Psalm 39

ISV

Themes in Psalm 39

Psalm 39:1 (show verse)

I told myself, "I will keep watch over my tongue to keep from sinning. I will muzzle my mouth when the wicked are around."

Bridle » Figurative
Heedfulness » Necessary » In worldly company
Repression of evil » Seven evils to be repressed » Evil speech
Satan » Vanquished promises of ultimate triumph » Watchfulness against sin and temptation
Seven » Evils to be repressed » Evil speech
Sin » Should be » Guarded against
Speech/communication » Bridling your tongue
Watchfulness » For the coming of Christ, reasons for » Against sin and temptation

Psalm 39:2 (show verse)

I was as silent as a mute person; I said nothing, not even something good, and my distress deepened.

Silence » Value of » General references to

Psalm 39:3 (show verse)

My heart within me became incensed; as I thought about it, the fire burned. Then I spoke out:

Fire » Illustrative of » Zeal of saints
Fire » Inward » Kindled by meditation
Inward fire » Kindled by meditation
Meditation » The righteous delight in

Psalm 39:4 (show verse)

"LORD, let me know how my life ends, and the standard by which you will measure my days, whatever it is! Then I will know how transient my life is.

Afflictions, Prayer During » That we may be taught the uncertainty of life
death » Preparation for
natural Death » Pray to be prepared for
Measures » Illustrative » (the measure of our days,) of the shortness of life

Psalm 39:5 (show verse)

Look, you have made my life span fit in your hand; It is nothing compared to yours. Surely every person at their best is a puff of wind. Interlude

Handbreadth » A measure (about four inches)
Life » Uncertainty of physical » Only a handbreadth in extent
Life » Brief » Only a handbreadth in extent
natural Life » Is compared to » A hand-breadth
Measure » A hand-breadth
Measures » Of length » Handbreadth
The Providence of God » Is exercised in » Determining the period of human life
Time » Brevity of » Only a handbreadth in extent
Vanity » Man at his best estate is

Psalm 39:6 (show verse)

In fact, people walk around as shadows. Surely, they busy themselves for nothing, heaping up possessions but not knowing who will get them.

Accumulation of wealth » The accumulation of, disappointing
Business » Cares » A restless life
Business life » Business Cares Result in » A restless life
Care » Worldly folly of » Profitless
Care » Business Cares Result in » A restless life
overmuch Care » Vanity of
Covetousness » Is vanity
Man » Walks in a vain show
Riches » The wicked » Heap up
Riches » Vanity of heaping up
earthly Riches » The perils of » The accumulation of, disappointing
Vanity » The wicked » Walk in
Vanity » Evil people » Live in
Vanity » Worldy anxiety
Wealth » Accumulation of » The accumulation of, disappointing
Worldly » Care, folly of » Profitless

Psalm 39:7 (show verse)

How long, LORD, will I wait expectantly? I have placed my hope in you.

Hope » Eternal » In God
Hope » In God
Hope » Exemplified » David
Waiting » For pardon
Waiting » Exemplified » David
Waiting upon God » For » Pardon
Waiting upon God » Exemplified » David

Psalm 39:8 (show verse)

Deliver me from all my transgressions, and do not let fools scorn me."

Afflictions, Prayer During » For pardon and deliverance from sin
Waiting » For pardon
Waiting upon God » For » Pardon

Psalm 39:9 (show verse)

I remain silent; I do not open my mouth, for you are the one who acted.

Afflicted saints » Should be resigned

Psalm 39:10 (show verse)

Stop scourging me, since I have been crushed by your heavy hand.

Afflictions, Prayer During » For deliverance
Anger of God » Removal of, should be prayed for

Psalm 39:11 (show verse)

You rebuke by chastening a man with the consequence of iniquities; you destroy what is attractive to him, as one would treat a moth. Indeed, every person is a puff of wind. Interlude

Beauty » Vanity of
Beauty » Wastes away
Emptiness » Emptiness or vanity of the worldly life (ps 3911; 629)
Man » God » Makes his beauty consume away
Moth » An insect
Reproof » When from God » Is for correction
Seven » Uncertainties » Beauty
seven Uncertainties » Beauty
Vanity » Emptiness of the worldly life
Vanity » The beauty of man is
Vanity » Every man is
Vanity » Every man has

Psalm 39:12 (show verse)

Hear my prayer, LORD, pay attention to my cry, and do not ignore my tears. I am an alien in your presence, a stranger just like my ancestors were.

Afflictions, Prayer During » For mitigation of troubles
Ear » Figurative » Anthropomorphic uses of
Life » Lessons of » Pilgrimage, a
Pilgrims and strangers » Saints confess themselves
Pilgrims and strangers » All saints are
Pilgrims and strangers » Exemplified » David
Tears » Of solicitude over sinners » Of disappointment and grief
Titles and names of saints » Sojourners with God

Psalm 39:13 (show verse)

Stop looking at me with chastisement, so I can smile again, before I depart and am no more. To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.

Afflictions, Prayer During » For mitigation of troubles
death » Preparation for