Praying Psalm 39

“LOOK AWAY”

 

What is the title of Psalm 39? To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

Jeduthun was a Levite? (See 1 Chronicles 16:42) This ancient tribe was in charge of the temple and worship; musical accompaniment for sacred songs.

Read Psalm 39:1-3

1 I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
² I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.
³ My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:

What is the problem?

Not SIN with tongue: what does this mean? Psalmist was guarding his mouth while the WICKED are around. Something he didn't want the wicked to hear??
Held my peace BUT DISTRESS! Hot, fire….
Had to speak!

 Read Psalm 39:4-6

⁴ “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!
⁵ Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
⁶ Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

What does he say?

"Let me know my end." But, THIS IS NOT FOR HIM TO KNOW!
"My life is nothingness…" Lament about the meaningless life.
**Why should the wicked not hear this? Maybe it would give them more opportunity to hate God???

 

Read Psalm 39:7-11

⁷ “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.
⁸ Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
⁹ I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it.
¹⁰ Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
¹¹ When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him;
surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah

What is the psalmist's struggle?

Trust in the Lord –  I am waiting….

But YOU have done these terrible things, discipline, consuming… To realize the LORD has brought about this suffering, that's a tough one. (See Job)

 Read Psalm 39:12-13

¹² “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers.
¹³ Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!”

 What is David’s prayer?

Hear –Act -  I’m temporary.

Look AWAY – Like Job 7:16, 7:19, 7:21 (If this is love, LOVE me LESS!)

 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?

What is the purpose of this Psalm/prayer?

Lament David's silence about his relationship with God.
Lament God is responsible for his pain.
Plead for God to LOOK AWAY

 How does Christ fulfill this psalm?

All sin & discipline was taken out on Christ.  God was completely just when he killed Christ for sin. BUT AT THE SAME TIME He was completely merciful to us = Christ gave us that blameless life. AND WE DON’T HAVE TO BE SILENT!

 

How can we pray this?

Lament Our silence about our relationship with God. He does things we can't explain

Lament God is responsible for our pain. Sometimes God is actually behind the suffering!
Plead for God to LOOK AWAY - Don't treat me like a sinner. Look away, look to CHRIST.

1. 1 Corinthians 1:22 : See Matt. 12:38
2. 1 Corinthians 1:23 : Gal. 5:11; See 1 Pet. 2:8
3. 1 Corinthians 1:24 : [1Cor 1:18]
4. 1 Corinthians 1:24 : 1Cor 1:30; Col. 2:3; [Luke 11:49]

 

WE PRAY:  

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

What does this mean?  We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor deny such petitions on account of them; for we are worthy of none of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them; but that He would grant them all to us by grace; for we daily sin much, and indeed deserve nothing but punishment. So will we verily, on our part, also heartily forgive and also readily do good to those who sin against us.