Psalm Category: Lament

Central Thought: In Psalm 39, David moves from the pain of silence, to the power of speech, to a prayer for divine speech.

Key Word: Selem (v. 6). Selem is translated as “phantom” in verse 6. It could also be translated as “shadow” or “image.” Selem is used in Genesis 1:26-27, where it refers to man being made in the “image” of God. This reminds us that when men and women deny the Creator and embrace only the creation, they deny the purpose for which they were created and become mere phantoms, hollow images, and a vain breath.

Psalm 39

Have you ever been upset with God or confused by His actions? In Psalm 39, David is both upset and confused. He is experiencing God’s discipline and questioning the meaning of life—even life in the covenant.

The Pain of Silence (vv. 1-3): David begins this psalm in silence. He desires to talk, but is holding back. He is “muzzling” his mouth. The reason David is remaining silent is a noble one: He does not want to voice his thoughts before the “wicked” (v. 1). He fears that speaking will bring indignity to God’s name. Oftentimes silence is a wise course of action before both God (Hab. 2:20; Lev. 10:3) and men (Prov. 17:28; Job 2:13). However, silence can also be sinful (Ps. 32:3; Hab. 1:13), and, as Psalm 39 reveals, harmful. David’s silence only makes his anguish worse (v. 2). His soul is in turmoil, is boiling over, until he finally gives way to speech (v. 3). Like the prophet Jeremiah, David can no longer keep silent regarding the fire in his bones (Jer. 20:9).

The Power of Speech (vv. 4-11): When David opens his mouth he speaks directly to God: “Show me, O Lord” (v. 4). He begins to unfold what is troubling him so. In verses. 4-5 he reveals that he is troubled by the brevity of human life. Does this ever trouble you? In verse 6, he notes that he is also troubled by the seeming meaninglessness of life. Here David echoes Ecclesiastes 1:2, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” Do such things ever trouble you? David is experiencing the severe discipline of God, and he is wondering about the meaning of life. He is particularly wondering if the believer is any better off than the unbeliever. Again David’s pathos is captured in a verse from Ecclesiastes, “For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten. Like the fool, the wise man too must die!” (2:16).

It is important for us to note that God does not chastise David for asking such questions. It is also crucial for us to realize that David’s lament is not an act of unfaithfulness, but rather an act of worship. One of the errors of the modern evangelical church is that it can conceive of worship as nothing other than bongos, guitars, and happy songs. In contrast, the Bible, particularly the Book of Psalms, reminds us that lament is worship as well. David is not directing his lament and his questions to a physician, therapist, or philosopher; he is directing them to Yahweh. David recognizes that the God who is disciplining him severely (vv. 9-11) is the very same God who is his only hope for deliverance (v. 7).

A Prayer for Divine Speech (vv. 12-13): David began this psalm in silence and then moved to speech. As he concludes this psalm, he asks God to break His silence as well. David’s explicit petition to God to “hear,” “listen,” and be “not deaf” is also an implied petition for divine speech. David asks God to be God, to distinguish Himself from the idols which have neither ears to hear nor lips with which to speak. David realizes if God remains silent then he will be an “alien,” a “stranger,” and will be “no more.”

The good news for David, and for you, is that God does not remain silent like the idols (see Isa. 42:14-17). God addresses the issues of the nature and meaning of life as He addresses all other issues—in His Son. God broke His silence in Jesus Christ, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Heb. 1:1-2).

—Anthony Selvaggio