Psalm 39: The sound of silence because of my limitations – a nobody who serves In quietness and confidence – and intercession.

1: To a music director – a poetic (mizmor from zamar – skilfully plucking for pruning and instruments) song to Jeduthun (praise), to David, saying,

I keep watch on my ways from missing-the-mark sin.

I keep watch on my tongue – with a muzzle on my mouth when wrongness is around.

2: I was muted**.

Silence (fem*).

I caused stillness in good and grief was troubled.

3: My heart was inflamed to my core. With a groan, she* (silence) burns in the fire. (So) I spoke with my tongue.

4: (And) Yehoweh cause me to know my limit and measure my days.

Why her* (silence) ? That I know how forsaken am I.

5: Behold, You gave me a palm-breadth of days and my lifespan is like nothing opposite You – it’s almost certainly vanity  (even if) all man is  stood up.

Stop and think about that!

6: A man is certainly like a shadow making itself walk about.

They certainly clamour about in vain.

He heaps up and does not know who will gather up to remove.

7: And now, Lord, what did I wait for?

It’s my hope – in You.

8: From all my rebellious-sin, cause to snatch me.   

Don’t set me up for foolish public disgrace.

 9: I was muted**.

I do not open my mouth for You have done it.

10: Cause Your infection to be despatched from me with a blow of Your Hand (for) I was finished off. 

11: You corrected a man with rebukes over futile-sin and he was caused to melt. Every man’s attractiveness, like a moth, is vanity.

Stop and think about that!

12: Hear my Intercession, Yehoweh and incline Your Ear to  my cry for help. Don’t be silent over my tears. For I am a stranger and a foreign resident with You as all my fathers.

13: Make Your Eyes turn from me and I make myself composed  (presentable) before I walk off as a nobody.  

Prayer:

Lord every time  I open my mouth to defend good or disclaim bad, let me remember that I’m trying to be like a shadow making itself walk! It’s sinful rebellion against you to think that we can fight Your fight with our words. Public disgrace. A puff and we are gone as Charlie Kirk’s assassination reminds us. Forgive our foolish ways! Let me hope in Your Word – not my words.. Not lording it over others, willing to be a nobody. A slave of all (Mark 10:42-45).