Holding your tongue even when those around you are doing or saying the wrong thing – we Southerners are really good at that. But underneath our veneer of politeness, behind all the smiles and pleasantries often lies a hot temper. And what we really want to say to those who make our lives miserable is anything but “Well, bless your heart!”

David experienced the same frustration. Sure, he was the king, but that meant that everything he said could have tremendous political or diplomatic effects. So, unless he wanted to alienate a powerful noble or start a war with a foreign country, sometimes he had to hold his tongue even while he was burning up inside (Psalm 39:1-3).

But when David finally opened his mouth, it wasn’t to blast those wicked people who had made him angry. Instead, in verse 4, he speaks to God. And strangely enough, he doesn’t ask God to punish the wicked who doubtless have it coming to them.

Why not? In part because David knew that he had racked up plenty of guilt himself. So, instead of praying that God would bring justice on the wicked, he begs God for the mercy he knew he himself needed so much (Psalm 39:10).

And this knowledge of his own sin naturally led David to ask God not to let him fall into the sins he could see so easily in others. So, instead of envying the wicked for their ill-gotten gains, David seeks a proper perspective on worldly wealth (Psalm 39:6). In fact, he seeks a larger perspective on all of life, an understanding that, because life on this earth is short, it should not be spent in the pursuit of passing pleasure (Psalm 39:4-5).

So, what is the point of life? David tells us in verse 7: “And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.” That means God Himself is truly the antidote to both envy and self-righteous anger. For if God Himself is our greatest joy, then of course we won’t follow the example of the wicked, focusing only on the things of this world. And if God Himself is the true goal of our life, it should be easier for us to have patience, even pity, toward those who reject the permanent for the fleeting, those who are running away from the greatest blessing anyone can hope to have. So, may our hope be in God alone today.

Psalm 39 (ESV)

To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. 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.”
2 I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.
3 My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!
5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
9 I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it.
10 Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
11 When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah
12 “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers.
13 Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!”