Psalm 39:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool!

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

NASB: Save me from all my wrongdoings; Do not make me an object of reproach for the foolish.

CSB: Rescue me from all my transgressions; do not make me the taunt of fools.

NLT: Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me.

KJV: Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

NKJV: Deliver me from all my transgressions; Do not make me the reproach of the foolish.

A "transgression" is a breach of something; in this context it means violating God's law. In the Old Testament (Exodus 20), God clearly defined what His people were and were not supposed to do. A person could break God's law by failing to live according to His law. David admitted that he had broken God's law. Although he does not specify how he had acted contrary to God's law, he does make it clear that he longed for forgiveness. This might have been connected to David's sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:7–9).

In Scripture, the term "fool" can be used for someone unwise or irresponsible. It is frequently applied to someone who rejects godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). That use is a dominant theme of the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 10:8; 13:19; 18:7). David realizes that if he does not confess and repent of his sin, it would give "fools"—unbelievers and critics of the Lord—reason to criticize faith in God. It would also create room for those enemies to attack David's character.

Believers today should feel a sense of remorse over sins. Although we are not under the Old Testament law, as were the Israelites, we are accountable to obey the moral principles contained in the law since they reflect God's character. Those principles are inherent in the New Testament's precepts and commands as well. The apostle Paul told the Philippian believers to be "blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15).

Psalm 39:8–13 closes as David repents of sin. After expressing his need for humility and perspective, David suggests that some of his current struggles are the result of his own sin. This suggests that God is disciplining David through these experiences. As observed in the first part of the psalm, life is brief. David does not want to spend what little time he has under the Lord's chastening hand. He wants to spend his days at peace with the Lord and with joy in his soul.

David chooses not to speak in the presence of certain evil people. This might have been to avoid slander, or to not speak unfairly about God. In frustration, David calls on God to adjust his perspective. He asks to be reminded of life's brevity; the Lord's infinite perspective makes our troubles seem small. David acknowledges his sin and that God has disciplined him. Even so, he places all his hope in the Lord.

This psalm is related to Psalm 38. Both focus on David's response to sin and the hardships which life brings. Rather than speaking out against wicked people, David asks God to remind him of the brevity of life. Job 7:16–17 parallels the themes found in this psalm. Likewise does Psalm 90. No specific incident is tied to this writing, but it may have been inspired by David's sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:7–9).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.