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

For the music director, for Jeduthun, a psalm of David. 2I said: “I will guard my ways, so I will not sin with my tongue. I will muzzle my mouth while the wicked are before me.” 3So I became utterly speechless, kept silent even from good, but my anguish was stirred up.

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 6:44Ashan with its open land, and Beth-shemesh with its open land.
• Psalms 62:1For the music director, on Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
• Psalms 77:1For the music director, on Jeduthun: a psalm of Asaph.
• 1 Chronicles 16:41Along with them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, designated by name to give thanks to Adonai—for His mercy endures forever.
• 1 Chronicles 25:1Moreover, David and the commanders of the army, set apart for avodah the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun who prophesied with lyres, harps and cymbals. The list of those who performed this work according to their service was:
• Psalms 119:9How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.
• 1 Kings 2:4so that Adonai may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying: ‘If your children watch their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
• 2 Kings 10:31Yet Jehu was not careful to walk in the Torah of Adonai, God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, which he caused Israel to commit.
• Proverbs 4:26Clear a level path for your feet, so all your ways will be firm.
• Hebrews 2:1For this reason it is necessary for us to pay especially close attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
• Psalms 12:4May Adonai cut off all flattering lips— a tongue bragging big things.
• Psalms 73:8They scoff and wickedly plan evil. From on high they threaten.
• Psalms 141:3Set a guard, Adonai, over my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips.
• Proverbs 18:21Death and life are in the control of the tongue. Those who indulge in it will eat its fruit.
• Proverbs 21:23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul out of troubles.
• James 1:26If anyone thinks he is religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is futile.

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