Is My Living In Vain?
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To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David
[1] 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.
[2] I was dumb with silence,
I held my peace, even from good;
And my sorrow was stirred.
[3] My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned:
Then spake I with my tongue.
[4] LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is;
That I may know how frail I am.
[5] Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth;
And mine age is as nothing before thee:
Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.
Selah.
[6] Surely every man walketh in a vain shew:
Surely they are disquieted in vain:
He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
[7] And now, Lord, what wait I for?
My hope is in thee.
[8] Deliver me from all my transgressions:
Make me not the reproach of the foolish.
[9] I was dumb, I opened not my mouth;
Because thou didst it.
[10] Remove thy stroke away from me:
I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
[11] When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity,
Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth:
Surely every man is vanity.
Selah.
[12] Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry;
Hold not thy peace at my tears:
For I am a stranger with thee,
And a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
[13] O spare me, that I may recover strength,
Before I go hence, and be no more.
Is My Living In Vain?
From the two previous Psalms, we heard David lamenting about the agonizing weight of sin on his physical, emotional and spiritual state. Now, he has learned to take heed of his ways so that he will not falter again. He will guard his tongue, bridling it to not speak against evil men. This was not easy for David. His heart burned within him like fire, but yet he remained dumb and said nothing. This reminds me of Christ, who was silent amidst His abusers as well. David asks the Lord to reveal to him how long he might live. His life is as fleeting as a handsbreadth, disappearing quickly like a vapor. David says “Every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” (39:5). He places the question in our minds: Why be prideful when life is so short?
David further explains that it is in vain that man heaps up riches but dies and will not know who shall gather them. So man need not be so distraught about this worldly life. David declares a better perspective is to wait on the Lord and hope in Him. He asks for deliverance from all his transgressions and from the wicked. Repeating his starting thoughts in this passage, David says he was dumb. He felt the wrath of God when he sinned in the past. He was consumed by the blow of His hand. When man sins, it is self-destructive, and the beauty in us that God has created is devoured, like a closet of coats eaten by moths. He repeats the warning refrain, “surely every man is vanity. Selah” (39:11). David prays for God to hear him and help him as He did his fathers before him. He asks God to spare his life, to restore his strength before he dies.
The overarching message in Psalms 39 is David’s warning to man that a life lived sinning against God and focusing only on one’s earthly desires is a life of vanity. He compels us to reflect on the limited time we have on this earth and how sin brings nothing but destruction and ravishment to our lives. I know that only what I do for God will last for eternity. We are told to set our affections on things above, not on things below that man can steal or moths destroy. I ask the Lord to help me remember what is truly important. Life is too short. Make every day count.
Debra Hill
Debra Hill is an independent inspirational singer, author, songwriter, and writer. As a blind performer, she adds a personal story of God’s faithfulness. Her life exemplifies that Christ’s power will work to lift all regardless of circumstances.
Elizabeth Expands
Many of David’s psalms are addressed “To the chief Musician,” but today’s specifies further with “even to Jeduthun.” Why the specificity? Who is, or was, Jeduthun?
Got Questions?.org points out that the name also shows up in both 1 Chronicles 16:41, “And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the Lord, because his mercy endureth for ever;” as well as 2 Chronicles 35:15, “And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.”
It is unknown whether Jeduthun, the one chosen to give thanks to the Lord, and Jeduthun the king’s seer are one and the same, but it is most likely that the former is our fellow in this Psalm. We will see down the road that Psalm 66 and 72 are also addressed to him. We can also see here that Asaph and Heman are mentioned in both places as well—individuals whom David dedicates many other psalms, also with the title of chief musician. The current theory is that there were multiple chief musicians, each with their own ensemble, perhaps differing from one another in the style of music or instruments they played, and David directed this song specifically to the one he wanted it to be played by.
https://www.gotquestions.org/Jeduthun-in-the-Bible.html
Meet Elizabeth Baber
Elizabeth Baber is the latest addition to the Debra Hill Sings team, working as the head Virtual Assistant for the wonderful woman herself. Elizabeth would identify as an author(ess), spreadsheet fanatic, and all-around geek. The majority of her time is spent serving Central Virginia’s low-vision patients as a technician with the MedRVA Foundation.
When not at work, she can be found cooking with her fiancé, coaching Teen Bible Quizzing, wrestling novel ideas, running an online Dungeons and Dragons server, or trying her hand at one of a hundred rotating crafting hobbies.
Some of her work can be found on her website: www.writingonwords.com and you can contact her at elizabeth@writingonwords.com.
I would love to hear what this Psalm brings to mind for you! Write back to me in Facebook comment or blog reply.
Disclaimer: The intention of this project is not to teach, but rather to share. Please use due diligence in studying the word of God, and seek guidance from your local religious leaders for any questions or concerns.
Special Thanks to Elizabeth Baber and Dr. Shakira for all that you do to make it happen.
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