DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 39 David asks the LORD to help him avoid bitterness in his affliction and to grant him compassion and forgiveness. At the beginning of the Psalm David expressed a desire for a bridled mouth. This concept is reflected in the painting above.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 1 Chronicles 16:41. Psalm 38. Psalm 4. Psalm 62. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 39 - #1. Psalm 39 - #2. Psalm 39 - #3. ]

     David determined in his heart that he would not say sinful things when he was in the presence of the wicked (1). But his silence increased his anguish. His heart grew hot and began to burn (2-3). Finally, he spoke to the LORD, asking him to show him how fleeting his life was. He realized that his life was like a handbreadth and like a mere breath, even though it seems secure (4-5). Everyone walks about like a phantom, rushing vainly as they heap up wealth, not knowing who will finally own it (6). He therefore says that his hope is in the LORD. He asks him to save him from all of his transgressions and not to make him the scorn of fools (7-8).
     He was silent because God had afflicted him. He asked God to remove his overpowering scourge from him. When God rebukes and disciplines someone they consume away like a moth or like a breath (9-11). He asks God to hear his prayer and his weeping. He dwells with God as a foreigner or a stranger, as did all of his ancestors. He asks God to look away from him that he may enjoy life again before he departs and is no more (12-13).

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
²I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
³ My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
⁴ LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
⁵ Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

⁶ Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
⁷ And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
⁸ Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

⁹ I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
¹⁰ Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
¹¹ When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

¹² Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
¹³ O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]