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 to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.” 2But as I stood there in silence— not even speaking of good things— the turmoil within me grew worse. 3The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:

Psalms 39:1 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• I saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• I will take heedשָׁמַרshâmar · to keep: guardH8104
• to my waysדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: conductH1870
• that I sinחָטָאchâţâ' · to sinH2398
• not with my tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956
• my mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• with a bridleמַחְסוֹםmachsôm · muzzleH4269
• while the wickedרָשָׁעrâshâ‛ · wickedH7563

Cross-references for Psalms 39:1

• 1 Chronicles 6:44Heman’s second assistant was Ethan from the clan of Merari. Ethan’s genealogy was traced back through Kishi, Abdi, Malluch,
• Psalms 62:1I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
• Psalms 77:1I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me!
• 1 Chronicles 16:41David also appointed Heman, Jeduthun, and the others chosen by name to give thanks to the Lord, for “his faithful love endures forever.”
• 1 Chronicles 25:1David and the army commanders then appointed men from the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to proclaim God’s messages to the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. Here is a list of their names and their work:
• Psalms 119:9How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.
• 1 Kings 2:4If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me. He told me, ‘If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.’
• 2 Kings 10:31But Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.
• Proverbs 4:26Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.
• Hebrews 2:1So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.
• Psalms 12:4They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content. Our lips are our own—who can stop us?”
• Psalms 73:8They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
• Psalms 141:3Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.
• Proverbs 18:21The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
• Proverbs 21:23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.
• James 1:26If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your 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