4 Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
4 "Show me, Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.
4 "O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!
4 "Tell me, what's going on, God? How long do I have to live? Give me the bad news!
4 "Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.
4 " Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered- how fleeting my life is.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 39:4
Commentary on Psalm 39:1-6
(Read Psalm 39:1-6)
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 good words; but in general we are wrong when backward to engage in edifying discourse. Impatience is a sin that has its cause within ourselves, and that is, musing; and its ill effects upon ourselves, and that is no less than burning. In our greatest health and prosperity, every man is altogether vanity, he cannot live long; he may die soon. This is an undoubted truth, but we are very unwilling to believe it. Therefore let us pray that God would enlighten our minds by his Holy Spirit, and fill our hearts with his grace, that we may be ready for death every day and hour.