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Psalm 39

Psa. 39:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
<<To the chief Musician
natsach (Hebrew #5329)
properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); also (as denominative from 5331), to be permanent
KJV usage: excel, chief musician (singer), oversee(-r), set forward.
Pronounce: naw-tsakh'
Origin: a primitive root
, even too Jeduthun
Yduwthuwn (Hebrew #3038)
or Ydiythuwn {yed-ee-thoon'}; probably from 3034; laudatory; Jeduthun, an Israelite
KJV usage: Jeduthun.
Pronounce: yed-oo-thoon'
Origin: or Yduthuwn {yed-oo-thoon'}
, A Psalm
mizmowr (Hebrew #4210)
properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
KJV usage: psalm.
Pronounce: miz-more'
Origin: from 2167
of David
David (Hebrew #1732)
Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as 1730; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse
KJV usage: David.
Pronounce: daw-veed'
Origin: rarely (fully)
.>> I said
'amar (Hebrew #559)
to say (used with great latitude)
KJV usage: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech), utter, X verily, X yet.
Pronounce: aw-mar'
Origin: a primitive root
, I will take heed
shamar (Hebrew #8104)
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
KJV usage: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
Pronounce: shaw-mar'
Origin: a primitive root
to my ways
derek (Hebrew #1870)
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
KJV usage: along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side), whither(-soever).
Pronounce: deh'-rek
Origin: from 1869
, that I sin
chata' (Hebrew #2398)
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
KJV usage: bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass.
Pronounce: khaw-taw'
Origin: a primitive root
not with my tongue
lashown (Hebrew #3956)
also (in plural) feminine lshonah {lesh-o-naw'}; from 3960; the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water)
KJV usage: + babbler,bay, + evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge.
Pronounce: law-shone'
Origin: or lashon {law-shone'}
q: I will keep
shamar (Hebrew #8104)
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
KJV usage: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
Pronounce: shaw-mar'
Origin: a primitive root
νmy mouth
peh (Hebrew #6310)
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to
KJV usage: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, + file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk, tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.
Pronounce: peh
Origin: from 6284
with a bridle
machcowm (Hebrew #4269)
a muzzle
KJV usage: bridle.
Pronounce: makh-sohm'
Origin: from 2629
, whiler the wicked
rasha` (Hebrew #7563)
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
KJV usage: + condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.
Pronounce: raw-shaw'
Origin: from 7561
is before me.
o
1 Chron. 16:41• 41and with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to Jehovah, because his loving-kindness endureth for ever; (1 Chron. 16:41)
q
Prov. 21:23• 23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. (Prov. 21:23)
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James 3:2• 2For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, *he* is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too. (James 3:2)
,etc.
ν
a bridle, or, muzzle for my mouth.
r
Col. 4:5• 5Walk in wisdom towards those without, redeeming opportunities. (Col. 4:5)

More on:

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David,
Jeduthun,
Music; Musicians; Musical Instruments,
Psalms,
Sin

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-3:  David's care of this thoughts.
4-6:  The consideration of the brevity and vanity of life;
7-9:  the reverence of God's judgments,
10-13:  and prayer, are his bridles of impatience.
A.M. 2970.
B.C. 1034.
(Title.)
Jeduthun.Jeduthun, probably the same as Ethan, 1 Ch 6:44, was one of the sons of Merari, and is supposed to have been one the four masters of music, or leaders of bands, belonging to the temple service.
It is therefore probable that David, having composed this Psalm, gave it to Jeduthun and his company to sing; and it is very likely, that it was written on the same occasion as the preceding.
Psa. 62:1• 1To the chief Musician. On Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. Upon God alone doth my soul rest peacefully; from him is my salvation. (Psa. 62:1)
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Psa. 77:1• 1To the chief Musician. On Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A Psalm. My voice is unto God, and I will cry; my voice is unto God, and he will give ear unto me. (Psa. 77:1)
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Psa. 77•  (Psa. 77)
:*titles;
1 Chron. 16:41• 41and with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to Jehovah, because his loving-kindness endureth for ever; (1 Chron. 16:41)
;
1 Chron. 25:1‑6• 1And David and the captains of the host separated for the service those of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun who were to prophesy with harps and lutes and cymbals; and the number of the men employed according to their service was:
 2of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asharelah, the sons of Asaph under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied at the direction of the king.
 3Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Isaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, and Shimei six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, to give thanks and to praise Jehovah.
 4Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkijah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth:
 5all these were sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to exalt his power; and God had given to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
 6All these were under the direction of their fathers Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman, for song in the house of Jehovah, with cymbals, lutes and harps, for the service of the house of God, under the direction of the king. (1 Chron. 25:1‑6)
I said.
Psa. 119:9• 9BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his path? by taking heed according to thy word. (Psa. 119:9)
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1 Kings 2:4• 4that Jehovah may confirm his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, If thy sons take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee, said he, a man upon the throne of Israel. (1 Kings 2:4)
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2 Kings 10:31• 31But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of Jehovah the God of Israel with all his heart; he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, who made Israel to sin. (2 Kings 10:31)
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Prov. 4:26‑27• 26Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be well-ordered.
 27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove thy foot from evil. (Prov. 4:26‑27)
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Heb. 2:1• 1For this reason we should give heed more abundantly to the things we have heard, lest in any way we should slip away. (Heb. 2:1)
that I.
Psa. 12:4• 4Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail, our lips are our own: who is lord over us? (Psa. 12:4)
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Psa. 73:8‑9• 8They mock and speak wickedly of oppression, they speak loftily:
 9They set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. (Psa. 73:8‑9)
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Psa. 141:3• 3Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. (Psa. 141:3)
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Prov. 18:21• 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Prov. 18:21)
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Prov. 21:23• 23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. (Prov. 21:23)
my mouth, etc.
Heb. a bridle, or muzzle, for my mouth.
James 1:26• 26If any one think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, this man's religion is vain. (James 1:26)
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James 3:2‑8• 2For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, *he* is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too.
 3Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies.
 4Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will.
 5Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!
 6and the tongue is fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell.
 7For every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species;
 8but the tongue can no one among men tame; it is an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison. (James 3:2‑8)
while.
Amos 5:13• 13Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in this time; for it is an evil time. (Amos 5:13)
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Mic. 7:5‑6• 5Believe ye not in a companion, put not confidence in a familiar friend: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.
 6For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law: a man's enemies are the men of his own household. (Mic. 7:5‑6)
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Col. 4:5• 5Walk in wisdom towards those without, redeeming opportunities. (Col. 4:5)
• Book 1, Series 6. The great tribulation. (““The Placement of the Psalms in Prophecy”” by B. Anstey)
• In the presence of the wicked the soul remains dumb. Seeing that he is being chastened of God for his own failure it was not fitting that he should reply to their reproaches, even though he knows their motive to be hatred of the godly. (“Psalms 39” by H. Smith)
• In despair the remnant make a resolution not to sin with their tongue. They hope that this will bring divine favor and hasten their deliverance. However, this self-imposed restraint doesn’t last and they do the very thing they said they wouldn’t (vs. 1-3). (“Book 1.” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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To the chief Musician, to Jeduthunl. A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked is before me.

JND Translation Notes

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l
See Ps. 62.