Praying the Psalms- Psalm 39

Jenny has begun a journey of praying her way through the Psalms that I have decided to join. Each weekend, we will pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in Praying the Psalms.


Psalm 39

"I said, 'I will watch my ways 

       and keep my tongue from sin; 

       I will put a muzzle on my mouth 

       as long as the wicked are in my presence.'

 But when I was silent and still, 

       not even saying anything good, 

       my anguish increased.

 My heart grew hot within me, 

       and as I meditated, the fire burned; 

       then I spoke with my tongue"  Ps 39: 1-3

Lord, each morning as the water rains down on my physical body in cleansing, I beg for Your spiritual cleansing.  For the strength to keep my tongue from sin and my heart from anguish and the heat of anger.  But by the morning meal's end, I've often slipped back into one or both of these pits.

"Show me, O LORD, my life's end 

       and the number of my days; 

       let me know how fleeting is my life.

 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; 

       the span of my years is as nothing before you. 

       Each man's life is but a breath. 

Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: 

       He bustles about, but only in vain; 

       he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

But now, Lord, what do I look for? 

       My hope is in you."  Ps 39: 4-7 

So, Lord, show me how to come to the end of mySELF.  I know this life is fleeting and but a breath.  When I come to the end of my days, I want to know that I long before, I came to an end of mySELF.  That I surrendered all to You and did so in pursuit of You so that You would increase and I would decrease.  My hope is in You, Lord.  In Jesus' name, amen.