Log inSign up

Psalm 39 · a question people ask

"I will keep my mouth with a bridle" (39:1), and then, "I spoke with my tongue" (39:3). Did the psalmist break his own resolve?

In the text

The psalm doesn't say he did. What he resolved was "I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue", and to keep his mouth with a bridle "while the wicked is before me" (39:1). When he speaks, he speaks to the LORD: "LORD, show me my end" (39:4). From 39:4 the WEB sets what he spoke in quotation marks in three parts (39:4-5, 39:6-11, 39:12-13), and in each part he calls on him: "LORD" (39:4), "Lord" (39:7), "LORD" (39:12). The psalm doesn't call his speaking sin, and it doesn't praise his silence either; it tells both. Later he is silent again, "because you did it" (39:9).

From Favor's study of Psalm 39

Psalm 39: Only a breath

In Psalm 39, "every man walks like a shadow" (39:6) uses tselem, the Hebrew word of "in his own image" (Genesis 1:27). Both of the psalm's Selahs come right after the words that every man is a breath (39:5, 39:11). And "Oh spare me" (39:13) asks, in Hebrew, for God's gaze to turn away.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekPsalm 39 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 39

All questions about Psalms →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions