Psalms
Chapter 39
Lord, Let Me Understand How Fleeting I Am
I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will muzzle my mouth in front of the wicked.”
So I did. But as I kept silent, their happiness made my anguish grow.
My heart began to burn within, and finally, I blurted out:
“Lord, let me know when my end will come; let me know the number of my days; show me how frail and fleeting is my life.”
You allow me to live but a short span; before you, all my years are nothing. Human existence is a mere whiff of breath.
Humans are mere shadows that go about relentlessly. Being but a breath, they toil and rake in wealth, not knowing who will take it next.
But now, O Lord, what do I await? All my hope rests in you.
Rescue me from all my sins and let me not be derided by fools.
I shall keep silent and not open my mouth since this is your work.
Only remove from me your scourge; for I am done in with your blows.
When you want to correct the mortals and punish their sin, like a moth, you eat what they hold dear. Mortals are a mere puff of wind!
Hear, O Lord, my supplication; listen to my cry for protection; do not be deaf to my lamentation. For I dwell with you, as an alien, a pilgrim, as all my ancestors have been.
Turn from me awhile, that I may find relief before I depart and be no more.”
Commentaries
39
This melancholy psalm highlights the brevity of life and the fleeting nature of all it offers. There is no hint of the life to come: revelation is still far ahead. All the psalmists could ask for was a resigned acceptance of their human condition. Yet even this is a stepping stone: his hope rests in the eternal Lord, who cannot abandon him. He is close to realizing that death, without further hope, would be a forsaking he cannot accept. Although God has given us everything by giving us his Son, we possess nothing and continue to wait for everything from his mercy. Show me how fragile and fleeting my life is (v. 5). The psalmist reminds us how fragile and temporary our lives are. While praying this psalm, we are reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19: “Do not store up treasure for yourself here on earth where moth and rust destroy it, and where thieves can steal it.” And further, in John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. Otherwise, I would not have told you I have prepared a place for you. After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am, you may be also.” When we receive such a solid assurance from our Lord and Savior Himself, why should we fear anything here on earth?