Psalm 39 is a personal lament associated with David. The superscript directs it "to the choirmaster: to Jeduthun." Jeduthun was one of three men, along with Asaph and Heman, that David placed in charge of what we would call "music ministry" for the tabernacle (1 Ch 25:1-6).
David is greatly troubled by something, but he determines not to speak about it, afraid that he would be misunderstood or that the wicked might twist his words (v 1). Here we are reminded of proverbs about the power of our words, both for good and for evil. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue," we read in Proverbs 18:21.
But as he thought about the thing that troubled him, David found it harder and harder to remain quiet, so he took the matter to God in prayer. His worries had much in common with those of Solomon that prompted the writing of the book of Ecclesiastes. He wants to know how to understand life and how to live, given life's fleeting nature. Even when we think we are strong and in control, our lives are short. We work hard to accomplish something but have no control over what will happen to the fruits of our labor (v 6; cf. Lk 12:13-21; Ja 4:13-17).
He concludes, as Solomon would later, that he will place his hope in God (v 7).
Reminded of his own weaknesses and shortcomings, he asked for deliverance from his sin and its consequences. He hopes for reconciliation with God.
Verses 9-13 of Psalm 39 parallel verses 1-8. He asks God to remove his judgment so that he can experience joy again in God's presence.
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