Psalms 39 - Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Title.. Psalm. Mizmor. See App-65.

of David. by David, and relating to the true David. The Psalm is. continuation of the subject of this last group of four Psalms. Psalms 39:2 :9 link it on to Psalms 38:13. and Psalms 39:1 to Psalms 38:17. See note on Title of Psalms 38:1.

I said. I formed this resolution (Psalms 38:7).

take heed. observe, keep, or guard.

sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44.

keep: same as "take heed to", above. Septuagint and Vulgate read "I did put".

a bridle. a muzzle.

the wicked. a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44.

dumb: as if tongue-tied.

good. Perhaps the Ellipsis (App-6) may be supplied "from good [words]". See P.B.V.

frail. short lived.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

age. lifetime. Hebrew. heled. See note on "world" (Psalms 49:1).

at his best state. though standing fast, or firmly established.

altogether vanity. only all vanity. Some codices, with Syriac, omit "all".

Selah. Connecting the vanity of Psalms 39:5 with the expansion and explanation of it in Psalms 39:6. See App-66.

every man. Hebrew. 'Ish. App-14.

walketh: i.e. walketh to and fro, or habitually.

in. vain shew. only in. mere form. Hebrew. ze lem. Occurs thirty-three times. Always rendered image, except here and Daniel 3:19 ("form").

LORD*. The primitive text read "Jehovah". This is one of the 134 places where the Sopherim altered Jehovah to "Adonai". See App-32.

is. "it [is]"

transgressions. Hebrew. pasha'.

the foolish. a foolish one.

blow. pressure.

hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14. See note on "moth", below.

moth. Hebrew. 'ash. Forming the Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6), connecting man (' ish) with. moth ('ash).

Selah. Connecting human vanity with an abiding reality and. divinely provided resource prayer, and hope in Jehovah. See App-66.

recover strength. be comforted. Hebrew "brighten up".