Psalm 39:1-3

The Voice

Psalm 39

For the worship leader, Jeduthun.^[a] A song of David.

As an individual lament, Psalm 39 grieves over the brevity of life. The superscription recalls David’s appointment of Jeduthun as one of the tabernacle’s leading musicians (1 Chronicles 16:41–42).

¹I promised, “I’ll be careful on life’s journey
    not to sin with my words;
I’ll seal my lips
    when wicked people are around.”
²I kept my mouth shut;
    I had nothing to say—not even anything good—
    which came to grieve me more and more.
³I felt my heart become hot inside me
    as I thought on these things; a fire ignited and burned.
    Then I said,