The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 294

EXPOSITION. to ver. 5; (2) from ver. 0 to ver. ll ; and PSALM XXXIX. (3) from ver. 12 to the end, THE pea.I.mist, vexed and disgusted with Ver. 1.-1 said, I will take heed to my life, feeling a desire to murmur and com- ways, that I sin not with my tongue. There plain, bat aware that his words are watched, are no grounds for conneoting this silence and his wicked enemies ready to make use with the abstinence from self-vindication of them age.wt him, has resolved on main- mentioned in the preceding psalm (vers.13, taining an entire silence-at auy rate, while H). Indeed, it seems to have had a wholly different origin (see the introductory pa.m- the ungodly are in his sight (vers. I, 2), but graph). I will keep my month with a is unable to keep to his resolve. Despite bridle; i.e. "ourb my impatience, restrain himself, he bursts out into speech-a speech a.ud keep in my speech." While the wicked of bitter complaint (vers. 4-6). "How is before me. The Prayer-book Version is long has he got to endure this life so un- better, if less literal, "While the ungodly is in my sight." satisfactory, so full of Yanity?" The out- Ver. 2.-1 was dumb with silenoe, I held burst relieves him, and he continues in a my peace, even from good. Some explain, gentler strain, recognizing God's hand in "I held my peace, but it did t7l6 no good-I the griefs and woes of life, entreating his I was none the better for it" (Hupfeld, help, and finally asking to be spa.red a Hengstenberg, Canon Cook); others adopt the Prayer-buok Version, "I kept silence little, that he may recover strength, before even from gond tcorda" (Kay, Ale:nncler, he goes hence and is no more (vcrs. 7-13). Revised Version). And my sorrow was The title a.;signs the psalm to David, and stirred, The pa.in at my he1ut waH not reprerlents him as having committed the quieted thel'eby, nor even lessened; rather, composiLion for musical arrangement to the it was rolli!ccl np, quickened, and aggra- precentnr, or choir-master, of tl!e time, who vated. This id the natural result of repress- ing any strong feeling. is then named o.s Jeduthun,, one of the chief Ver. 3,-My heart was hot within me; musicians in David's servi, ie (I Chron. xvl. or, grew hot (Kay). Ancl while I was 41, 42; xxv. 3-6). There is no reason to musing the fire burned; or, kindled (Revised dispute this attribution. '.l.'he poetic beauty Version). Then spa.ke I with my tongue; of the composition is great, a.nd the circnm- i.e. aloud, articulately. I could not-at any rate, I did not-refrain myself. I burst out eta.noes are such as suit David's early life. in speech, and ma.de my moan to God . The pause-sign, "Selah," divides the Ver. 4.-Lord, make me to know Dl.lne psalm into three portions: (1) from ver. 1 end, and the number of 111y days. This is  I'S, XXXIX, 1--13,] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 305