Psalm 39:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!

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

NASB: 'Lord, let me know my end, And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.

CSB: "Lord, make me aware of my end and the number of my days so that I will know how short-lived I am.

NLT: 'Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered — how fleeting my life is.

KJV: LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

NKJV: “Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.

Experiencing distress, David has resolved not to speak in the presence of certain evil people (Psalm 39:1–3). This might have been to avoid speaking inappropriately, possibly about God. Holding one's tongue is not easy (James 3:1–5), and David found his frustration growing. Rather than continue to hold in his angst, he speaks. But what he says is a prayer, to God, asking for a reminder of his own limitations.

David's question here is not about knowing the exact time or nature of his death. Instead, he is asking God to help him with humility. Wicked people frustrate David, and he does not want to respond sinfully. So, he asks God to work on his own heart. Being reminded of the short, fragile, imperfect nature of all humanity would make David less concerned over his current issues.

Proverbs 27:1 stresses the uncertainty of life by saying, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." No one can predict when his life will end. It is best, therefore, to measure one's days (Psalm 90:12) and endeavor to do God's will every day (James 4:13–17). While life continues, the wise believer seeks God's kingdom and doesn't put unnecessary worry in tomorrow (Matthew 6:33–34). Jesus told a story about a rich farmer whose land produced an abundant harvest. Instead of consulting God to determine what he should do, the rich farmer assumed his future was secure. He told his soul, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry" (Luke 12:19). But that night the man died and was judged (Luke 12:20).

Psalm 39:1–7 begins with David determining to remain silent so his words will not reflect poorly on God. And yet, struggling not to respond to wicked people created frustration. To ease this, David asks God for a reminder of man's limited lifespan and power. Life is incredibly short. All human effort is nothing compared to the power of God. Those who scrabble for earthly things do so pointlessly. Rather than hoping or despairing because of other people, David places his trust in the Lord. James 4:13–16 parallels David's thoughts about the brevity of life.

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.