Psalms 39:1

Psalms 39:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
• New International Version (NIV)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.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)I said, "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence."
• New King James Version (NKJV)I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.”

Context of Psalms 39:1

I said, “I will keep watch over my ways So that I do not sin with my tongue; I will keep watch over my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence.” 2I was mute and silent, I refused to say even something good, And my pain was stirred up. 3My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned; Then I spoke with my tongue:

Psalms 39:1 word by word

אָמַ֗רְתִּי אֶֽשְׁמְרָ֣ה דְרָכַי֮ מֵחֲט֪וֹא בִלְשׁ֫וֹנִ֥י אֶשְׁמְרָ֥ה לְפִ֥י מַחְס֑וֹם בְּעֹ֖ד רָשָׁ֣ע לְנֶגְדִּֽי׃Read the interlinear

• I saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• keepשָׁמַרshâmar · to keep: obeyH8104
• my waysדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: conductH1870
• do not sinחָטָאchâţâ' · to sinH2398
• with my tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956
• my mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• as with a muzzleמַחְסוֹםmachsôm · muzzleH4269
• Whileעוֹד‛ôd ‛ôd · stillH5750
• the wickedרָשָׁעrâshâ‛ · wickedH7563
• are in my presenceנֶ֫גֶדneged · beforeH5048

Cross-references for Psalms 39:1

• 1 Chronicles 6:44On the left hand were their kinsmen the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,
• Psalms 62:1My soul waits in silence for God alone; From Him comes my salvation.
• Psalms 77:1My voice rises to God, and I will cry aloud; My voice rises to God, and He will listen to me.
• 1 Chronicles 16:41With them were Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name, to give thanks to the Lord, because His kindness is everlasting.
• 1 Chronicles 25:1Moreover, David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals; and the number of those who performed this service was:
• Psalms 119:9How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.
• 1 Kings 2:4so that the Lord may fulfill His promise which He spoke regarding me, saying, ‘If your sons are careful about their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and all their soul, you shall not be deprived of a man to occupy the throne of Israel.’
• 2 Kings 10:31But Jehu was not careful to walk in the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart; he did not desist from the sins of Jeroboam, into which he misled Israel.
• Proverbs 4:26Watch the path of your feet, And all your ways will be established.
• Hebrews 2:1For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
• Psalms 12:4Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”
• Psalms 73:8They mock and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high.
• Psalms 141:3Set a guard, Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
• Proverbs 18:21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
• Proverbs 21:23One who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.
• James 1:26If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

Commentaries on Psalms 39:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1I said, I will take heed to my ways - I must be cautious because of my enemies; I must be patient because of my afflictions; I must be watchful over my tongue, lest I offend my God, or give my adversaries any cause to speak evil of me.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1I said - This refers to a resolution which he had formed. He does not say, however, at what time of his life the resolution was adopted, or how long a period had elapsed from the time when he formed the resolution to the time when he thus made a record of it. He had formed the resolution on some occasion when he was greatly troubled with anxious thoughts; when, as the subsequent verses show, his mind was deeply perplexed about the divine administration…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1David meditates on man's frailty. (1-6) He applies for pardon and deliverance. (7-13) Verses 1-6 If an evil thought should arise in the mind, suppress it. Watchfulness in the habit, is the bridle upon the head; watchfulness in acts, is the hand upon the bridle. When not able to separate from wicked men, we should remember they will watch our words, and turn them, if they can, to our disadvantage. Sometimes it may be necessary to keep silence, even from…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1Jeduthun was a Levitical singer who was appointed by David, along with Asaph (1 Chronicles 9:16; 16:38; 25:1).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-131. I said--or, "resolved." will take heed--watch. ways--conduct, of which the use of the tongue is a part (Jas 1:26). bridle--literally, "muzzle for my mouth" (compare De 25:4). while ... before me--in beholding their prosperity (Psa 37:10, 36).Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 39:1

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Bridle
• Prudence
• Speaking
• Watchfulness

In the dictionaries

• Altogether
• Bridle
• Frail
• Jeduthun
• Measure
• Psalms
• Silence
• Vain
• Bit and Bridle
• Dumb

Commentaries on Psalms 39

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings