39:title music director See note on 4:title.

For Jeduthun The Bible includes two people named Jeduthun: a temple music leader in the time of David and Solomon (1 Chr 16:41–42; 2 Chr 5:12) and a prophetic figure in Josiah’s time (2 Chr 35:15). Jeduthun is also mentioned in Pss 62:title and 77:title.

A psalm of David See note on 3:title.

39:1 that I may not sin with my tongue The psalmist intends to remain silent. He may have felt that he would sin by complaining about God’s discipline.

39:2 pain The Hebrew word used here, ke'ev, refers to pain (Jer 15:18). Job uses the same term when he states his speech cannot ease his pain (Job 16:6). The psalmist’s pain increases as he refrains from speaking.

39:3 My heart grew hot This idiomatic Hebrew expression describes becoming angry (Deut 19:6). Though the psalmist tried to keep silent, his pain grew, and he became angry and exasperated. Finally, like Job, he speaks and vents his frustrations (Job 32:18–21).

sighing The Hebrew word used here, hagig, indicates a desperate sigh or groaning (see Ps 5:1 and note).

39:4 Let me know, O Yahweh, my end The psalmist asks for perspective and awareness regarding the brevity of human life.

39:5 person standing firm is complete vanity The psalmist recognizes the limited scope of human life. Like a breath, it appears only briefly.

39:6 a man walks about as a mere shadow Life is short and passes quickly. The psalmist emphasizes the turmoil people experience in their brief life.

does not know who will gather Given the brevity of life, any gains people achieve must be left to others. The author of Ecclesiastes shares this lament. See Eccl 2:18 and note.

39:7 My hope is for you In the midst of his suffering, the psalmist puts his hope in God.

39:8 transgressions The Hebrew word used here, pesha', refers to the psalmist’s transgressions or wrongdoings—probably the cause of his suffering (Ps 39:10–11; see note on 38:11).

39:9 you, yourself, have done it The psalmist recognizes his suffering is a result of God’s discipline. Job also attributed negative events to God (see Job 2:10 and note).

39:10 the opposition of your hand God’s hand can be a source of both blessing and affliction. See note on Job 13:21.

39:12 an alien with you The psalmist’s transgression and suffering cause him to feel estranged from Yahweh. He considers himself a stranger or guest of Yahweh—a contrast to the intimate personal relationship often described in Psalms.

39:13 Look away from me The psalmist asks Yahweh to relent of His punishment so that he might be cheerful (balag, “smile”) again.