Rex H. Henderson

PSALM 39

To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it. Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more. (Psalm 39, KJV)

Psalm 39

Creature of a Day

The burning fire within burst into
Expression after a long silence.
Now his deep feelings must be known.
Why was David so troubled and tense?

He was troubled over the brevity
And vanity of life, and refused
To speak for he knew the wicked
Would be thoroughly confused.

David did it right. He voiced his
Anguish to God about the brevity
And emptiness of human existence;
Wanting to know the uncertainty.

The span of life God had willed,
But more importantly was the
Relationship to God eternal
For man is made for eternity.

He recognizes he is an alien,
Only living on the land.
This world is not my home
I’m just a passing through.

     ‘Tis Jesus calls me on
      To perfect faith and love,
      To perfect hope and peace

Index of Poems Next Poem