Devotional -Plus Interesting Reads – 06/15/2023 – Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

Psalm CONTEXT/OVERVIEW from Treasury of David:

TITLE. To the Chief Musician, even to Jeduthun. Jeduthun’s name, which signifies praising or celebrating, was a most appropriate one for a leader in sacred psalmody. He was one of those ordained by the King’s order “for song in the house of the Lord with cymbals, psalteries, and harps” 1Ch 15:6, and his children after him appear to have remained in the same hallowed service, even so late as the days of Nehemiah. To have a name and a place in Zion is no small honour, and to hold this place by a long entail of grace is an unspeakable blessing. O that our household may never lack a man to stand before the Lord God of Israel to do him service. David left this somewhat sorrowful ode in Jeduthun’s hands because he thought him most fit to set it to music, or because he would distribute the sacred honour of song among all the musicians who in their turn presided in the choir. A Psalm of David. Such as his chequered life would be sure to produce; fit effusions for a man so tempted, so strong in his passions, and yet so firm in faith.

DIVISION. The psalmist, bowed down with sickness and sorrow, is burdened with unbelieving thoughts, which he resolves to stifle, lest any evil should come from their expression, Ps 39:1-2. But silence creates an insupportable grief, which at last demands utterance, and obtains it in the prayer of Ps 39:3-6, which is almost a complaint and a sigh for death, or at best a very desponding picture of human life. From Ps 39:7-13 the tone is more submissive, and the recognition of the divine hand more distinct; the cloud has evidently passed, and the mourner’s heart is relieved.

Also, see Spurgeons comments on v.1 via the link above.

I may be speaking for myself but I think we can all imagine situations where “biting our lip” as they say was what it took to keep from opening our mouths and saying something that we may later regret or that will just add salt to an already open wound.

It is human nature to lash out with our tongues at our enemies and even our own foolish selves. It is the wise man who can bridle {Hebrew word here translates muzzle} that urge. We hear it in everyday life do we not? How often do you hear someone openly break the 3rd commandment, taking the LORD’s name in vain? Or maybe they try and be more subtle and change it up a little to something like “gosh dang” knowing full well the underlying meaning.

So much of the chief particulars forbidden in this Commandment. What are the helps or hindrances of the Obedience thereof?

That we both inure our Hearts to fear and reverence the great and dreadful Name of the Lord our God, (Deut. 28:58; Eccles. 9:2.) and keep a careful watch over our Lips and Lives, lest by any means we dishonour him, Psal. 39:1.

That we avoid, both the Company of prophane Persons, who set their Mouth against Heaven, (Psal. 73:9.) and all unnecessary dangers, whereby divers have been occasioned to deny the Lord, Mat. 26:69. &c.

What is contained in the Reason annexed to the Commandment?
A dreadful Penalty: That the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain.
James Usher, A Body of Divinity: Or, the Sum and Substance of Christian Religion, Eighth Edition. (London: R. J.; Jonathan Robinson; A. and J. Churchill; J. Taylor; J. Wyatt, 1702), 276.