Psalms 39:9

Psalms 39:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it.
• New King James Version (NKJV)I was mute, I did not open my mouth, Because it was You who did it.
• New Living Translation (NLT)I am silent before you; I won’t say a word, for my punishment is from you.

Context of Psalms 39:9

7“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. 8Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. 10Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand. 11When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth— surely everyone is but a breath.

Psalms 39:9 word by word

נֶ֭אֱלַמְתִּי לֹ֣א אֶפְתַּח־פִּ֑י כִּ֖י אַתָּ֣ה עָשִֽׂיתָ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• I was dumbאָלַם'âlam · be dumbH481
• I openedפָּתַחpâthach · to openH6605
• not my mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• because thou didstעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213

Cross-references for Psalms 39:9

• Psalms 38:13I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak;
• Leviticus 10:3Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said: “ ‘Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’ ” Aaron remained silent.
• 1 Samuel 3:18So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”
• 2 Samuel 16:10But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ ”
• Job 1:21and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
• Job 2:10He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
• Job 40:4“I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.
• Daniel 4:35All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

Commentaries on Psalms 39:9

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9I was dumb - See the notes at Psalm 39:2. Compare Isaiah 53:7. The meaning here is, that he did not open his mouth to complain; he did not speak of God as if he had dealt unkindly or unjustly with him. I opened not my mouth - I kept entire silence. This would be better rendered, “I am dumb; I will not open my mouth.” The meaning is, not that he had been formerly silent and uncomplaining, but that he was now silenced, or that his mind was now calm, and…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-13Verses 7-13 There is no solid satisfaction to be had in the creature; but it is to be found in the Lord, and in communion with him; to him we should be driven by our disappointments. If the world be nothing but vanity, may God deliver us from having or seeking our portion in it. When creature-confidences fail, it is our comfort that we have a God to go to, a God to trust in. We may see a good God doing all, and ordering all events concerning us; and a…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-11The psalmist links suffering with God’s discipline, assuming that it is punishment for his sin.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 8-108-10. Patiently submissive, he prays for the removal of his chastisement, and that he may not be a reproach.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 39:9

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Resignation

In the dictionaries

• Altogether
• Dumb
• Frail
• Jeduthun
• Measure
• Psalms
• Silence
• Vain
• Pentateuch
• Psalms, Book of

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