READ: Ps. 39:1–14: … how frail I am … my hope is in You … I will not open my mouth, because You have done it … Hear my prayer, O LORD … for I am a stranger with You …
David looks back on his life. In distress and sorrow he preferred to remain silent rather than to utter lamentation. He did not want to complain before God nor give the enemy occasion to accuse or mock him. Even good words he withheld from himself. Yet it was heavy for him to suppress his sins (vv.3,4). He could not remain silent; he had to speak.
David then speaks about the end of his life. That does not mean that he would rather die. No, he wants to ask the LORD for proper insight into his own frailty and insignificance. he wants to confess: my times are in Your hand as my Creator; teach me to understand that in everything I depend on You and that everything, also my suffering, comes from You. Compared with Your eternity my lifetime is as nothing (vv.6,12).
Man is busy with many things, thinking that he can provide for everything and arrange everything. But ultimately his life is fragile and finite. It is God who ordains all things. With that confession David testifies of his dependence on God. This preserves him from rebellion.
From that humble position David now expresses his trust and hope in God (v.8ff.). Despite all misery there is reason for hope!
Also Job, who was severely tested in his trust in God and lost everything—his children and his health—confesses: “I know that my Redeemer lives!” The perishable life itself is not the highest goal on earth, but peace with God.
David immediately adds: Deliver me from my transgressions. He realizes that his misery proceeds from his sins. Therefore he prays for forgiveness. In verse 10 David acknowledges that thus everything is the work of the LORD: “You have done it.”
The punishment for my sin is for my salvation: You brought me to humiliation and repentance, and now I may be refreshed (vv.11–14).
Our hope, through Christ’s sacrifice and His intercession for us, is even clearer: the adoption as sons and the redemption of our body (Rom. 8:23–25).
Do you also see in your own life the guidance of the LORD?
Singing: Ps. 39:4.6