Measuring Every Word and Moment: Psalm 39
“1) I said, “I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence.” 2) I was mute and silent, I refrained even from good, And my sorrow grew worse. 3) My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned; Then I spoke with my tongue: “4) Lord, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.” Psalms 39:1-4
To speak or not to speak, that is the question? In this Psalm David was measuring his words.
He understood the importance of words. Once spoken, words cannot be taken back. They need to be weighed carefully.
On the other hand, when our heart is burning, we cannot remain silent or inactive. Why? Because life is short. We only get one shot at life.
David spent the rest of this Psalm grappling with the brevity of life. He did not want to waste his life on futile things. He did not want sin to hold him captive and he didn’t want distraction to waste his days.
This Psalm reminds us to measure our words and to count our days. Both words and time can be wasted. Life goes by quickly.
In our youth, moving forward purposefully is important. In our senior years, not letting regret over the past steal the present is equally important.
David understood that he could not change his past. He also understood that only in the “now” is the pen in our hand to write tomorrow’s history. Knowing that, he measured every word and made the most of every relationship and opportunity.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global.
Sent from my iPhone
“1) I said, “I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence.” 2) I was mute and silent, I refrained even from good, And my sorrow grew worse. 3) My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned; Then I spoke with my tongue: “4) Lord, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.” Psalms 39:1-4
To speak or not to speak, that is the question? In this Psalm David was measuring his words.
He understood the importance of words. Once spoken, words cannot be taken back. They need to be weighed carefully.
On the other hand, when our heart is burning, we cannot remain silent or inactive. Why? Because life is short. We only get one shot at life.
David spent the rest of this Psalm grappling with the brevity of life. He did not want to waste his life on futile things. He did not want sin to hold him captive and he didn’t want distraction to waste his days.
This Psalm reminds us to measure our words and to count our days. Both words and time can be wasted. Life goes by quickly.
In our youth, moving forward purposefully is important. In our senior years, not letting regret over the past steal the present is equally important.
David understood that he could not change his past. He also understood that only in the “now” is the pen in our hand to write tomorrow’s history. Knowing that, he measured every word and made the most of every relationship and opportunity.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global.
Sent from my iPhone
