Psalms 39:4 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

This verse contains either,

1. A correction of himself for his impatient motions or speeches, and his retirement to God for relief under these perplexing and sadding thoughts. Or,

2. A declaration of the words which he spake. Make me to know; either,

1. Practically, so as to prepare for it. Or,

2. Experimentally, as words of knowledge are oft used. And so this is a secret desire of death, that he might be free from such torments as made his life a burden to him. Or,

3. By revelation; that I may have some prospect or foreknowledge when my calamities will be ended; which argued impatience, and an unwillingness to wait long for deliverance. My end, i.e. the end of my life, as is evident from the following words. What it is; how long or short it is, or the utmost extent or period of the days of my life. How frail I am; or, how long (or, how little, for the word may be and is by divers interpreters taken both ways) time I have or shall continue here.

Psalms 39:4

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.