Psalms 39:1
To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
Psalms 39:1 in other translations
| BSB | For the choirmaster. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.” |
|---|---|
| WEB | For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.” |
| ASV | For the Chief Musician, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me. |
| YLT | To the Overseer, to Jeduthun. --A Psalm of David. I have said, ‘I observe my ways, Against sinning with my tongue, I keep for my mouth a curb, while the wicked is before me.' |
| DARBY | To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked is before me. |
| BBE | I said, I will give attention to my ways, so that my tongue may do no wrong; I will keep my mouth under control, while the sinner is before me. |
| Webster | To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. |
What does Psalms 39:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Psa 39:1-13. To Jeduthun (1Ch 16:41, 42), one of the chief singers. His name mentioned, perhaps, as a special honor. Under depressing views of his frailty and the prosperity of the wicked, the Psalmist, tempted to murmur, checks the expression of his feelings, till, led to regard his case aright, he prays for a proper view of his condition and for the divine compassion.
1. I said--or, "resolved." will take heed--watch. ways--conduct, of which the use of the tongue is a part (Jas 1:26). bridle--literally, "muzzle for my mouth" (compare De 25:4). while ... before me--in beholding their prosperity (Psa 37:10, 36).Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
The psalmist's care and watchfulness over his thoughts, tongue, and actions, Psa 39:1-3. He considers the brevity and uncertainty of human life, Psa 39:4-7; prays for deliverance from sin, Psa 39:8-11; and that he may be protected and spared till he is fitted for another world, Psa 39:12, Psa 39:13. The title says, To the chief Musician, Jeduthun himself, A Psalm of David. It is supposed that this Jeduthun is the same with Ethan, 1Chr 6:44, compared with 1Chr 16:41; and is there numbered among the sons of Merari. And he is supposed to have been one of the four masters of music, or leaders of bands, belonging to the temple. And it is thought that David, having composed this Psalm, gave it to Jeduthun and his company to sing. But several have supposed that Jeduthun himself was the author. It is very likely that this Psalm was written on the same occasion with the preceding. It relates to a grievous malady by which David was afflicted after his transgression with Bath-sheba. See what has been said on the foregoing Psalm. Verse 1 I said, I will take heed to my ways - I must be cautious because of my enemies; I must be patient because of my afflictions; I must be watchful over my tongue, lest I offend my God, or give my adversaries any cause to speak evil of me.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 39:1-6
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Psalms 39:1 in the original Hebrew
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Psalms 39:1
- Proverbs 21:23
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
- Psalms 141:3
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
- James 1:26
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
- Psalms 119:9
ב BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
- Micah 7:5-6
Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.
- Psalms 34:13
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
- James 3:2-8
For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! …
- Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
- Hebrews 2:1
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
- Proverbs 4:26-27
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
- 1 Kings 2:4
That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
- Colossians 4:5
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4 The consideration of the brevity and vanity of life;
7 the reverence of God's judgments,
10 and prayer, are his bridles of impatience.
A.M. 2970. B.C. 1034. (Title.) Jeduthun.Jeduthun, probably the same as Ethan, 1 Ch 6:44, was one of the sons of Merari, and is supposed to have been one the four masters of music, or leaders of bands, belonging to the temple service. It is therefore probable that David, having composed this Psalm, gave it to Jeduthun and his company to sing; and it is very likely, that it was written on the same occasion as the preceding.
62:1; 77:1; *titles
1Ch 16:41; 25:1-6
I said.
119:9; 1Ki 2:4; 2Ki 10:31; Pr 4:26,27; Heb 2:1
that I.
12:4; 73:8,9; 141:3; Pr 18:21; 21:23
my mouth, etc. Heb. a bridle, or muzzle, for my mouth.
Jas 1:26; 3:2-8
while.
Am 5:13; Mic 7:5,6; Col 4:5
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Psalms 39:1
To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
- Psalms 39:2
I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
Psalms 39:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Al Músico principal, á Jeduthún: Salmo de David. YO DIJE: Atenderé á mis caminos, para no pecar con mi lengua: guardaré mi boca con freno, en tanto que el impío fuere contra mí. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Au chef de musique, à Jeduthun. Psaume de David. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Ich sprach: Ich will meine Wege bewahren, daß ich nicht sündige mit meiner Zunge; ich will meinen Mund mit einem Maulkorbe verwahren, solange der Gesetzlose vor mir ist. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | In finem. Psalmus ipsi David. |