Psalm 39

1 I said, "I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence."

2 But when I was silent and still,
not even saying anything good,
my anguish increased.

3 My heart grew hot within me,
and as I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:

4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.

5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah

6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.

8 Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.

9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for you are the one who has done this.

10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11 You rebuke and discipline men for their sin;
you consume their wealth like a moth—
each man is but a breath.
Selah

12 "Hear my prayer, O LORD,
listen to my cry for help;
be not deaf to my weeping.
For I dwell with you as an alien,
a stranger, as all my fathers were.

13 Look away from me, that I may rejoice again
before I depart and am no more."

Psalm 39 gives me the impression that the psalmist, David, began to realise how temporal his life on earth was.

Isn't that surprising? As a king, David had so much wealth and power that many would have envied. He's probably like the President of the United States in present-day context.

Yet, David's words in verse 6 revealed his thoughts. All the wealth that he had accumulated, where would it go when he's physically dead? In verse 4, David even pleaded with God to show him how fleeting (temporal, transient) his life on earth was.

Nearing the end of the psalm, at verse 12, David's concluding prayer was to ask the Lord to reveal the true meaning of life. Actually, David had kind of acknowledged that he was a stranger to this world, just like his forefathers. Hebrews 11:13-16 confirms it clearly.

13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Personally, at times, I think I've been distracted by things of this world too much. I need to stay focused on the kingdom of God because that's God's purpose for my life. And the kingdom will last eternally. I pray that I will love God more than loving the world.


Things to ponder
1. Out of 100% of your time, how many percent do you give to God (include QT, going to church, going for cell activities)?
2. Then, how many percent of your time do you spend in your studies (include time in school), friends, family and hobbies? Give a percentage for each category clearly.
3. Do you think God approves of how you spend your time? Why?
4. Pray and commit to the Lord that you will seek Him first and the kingdom of God. Have a desire to give more time to God.

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 39