Heavenly Devotion: Psalm 39 – Our Hope in God

Psalm 39 – Our Hope in God

(Written by Goh Sook Wah)

In this Psalm, David realizes the wisdom of remaining silent even though he sees wickedness around him. He knew how his words could be misunderstood and misused by others. But the pain of remaining silent in the face of wickedness was too much to bear. David’s silence was broken as he chose not to lash out at others but to pray to God, pouring out his fears and doubts before God and the wisdom to understand the shortness and the frailty of his life.  Recognising the vanity of fame and riches in the light of eternity, David placed his expectation and hope upon God and not upon himself. “Deliver me from all my transgressions” was his cry as he recognised his own sins and weaknesses in the face of God’s rebuke. As he submitted himself humbly under God’s loving correction, his prayer turned into weeping and a plea for restored favour and regained strength.  

This Psalm teaches us to recognise the shortness and frailty of life.  The solution is to put our hope in God, His promises and to pursue holiness in our lives, not on self. What we do for God will count for eternity for we are strangers and sojourners here. We are citizens of another kingdom, the heavenly Kingdom with God.

 

Let’s Read Psalm 39

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

1 I said, “I will watch my ways

    and keep my tongue from sin;

I will put a muzzle on my mouth

    while in the presence of the wicked.”

2 So I remained utterly silent,

    not even saying anything good.

But my anguish increased;

3     my heart grew hot within me.

While I meditated, the fire burned;

    then I spoke with my tongue:

4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end

    and the number of my days;

    let me know how fleeting my life is.

5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;

    the span of my years is as nothing before you.

Everyone is but a breath,

    even those who seem secure.

6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;

    in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth

    without knowing whose it will finally be.

7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?

    My hope is in you.

8 Save me from all my transgressions;

    do not make me the scorn of fools.

9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth,

    for you are the one who has done this.

10 Remove your scourge from me;

    I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11 When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin,

    you consume their wealth like a moth—

    surely everyone is but a breath.

12 “Hear my prayer, Lord,

    listen to my cry for help;

    do not be deaf to my weeping.

I dwell with you as a foreigner,

    a stranger, as all my ancestors were.

13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again

    before I depart and am no more.”

 

Let’s Pray

Dear God, our Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that our transient lives here on earth are in Your hands. Help us to put our hope in You and to live lives that are honouring to You, to hunger and thirst after Your righteousness and to look forward to our eternal home with You in heaven. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

 

 

About the Heavenly Devotion channel

The Heavenly Devotion channel is dedicated to encouraging you to listen to Bible Scriptures and pray with the Scriptures. They are inspired by the call of service as expressed and exemplified by Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:12-15. 

 

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrew 4:12 NKJV)

 

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