Praying Through: Psalm 39

The Psalm

Psalm 39 (CSB)
For the choir director, for Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

1 I said, “I will guard my ways so that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are in my presence.”

2 I was speechless and quiet; I kept silent, even from speaking good, and my pain intensified.

3 My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, a fire burned. I spoke with my tongue:

4 “LORD, make me aware of my end and the number of my days so that I will know how short-lived I am.

5 In fact, you have made my days just inches long, and my life span is as nothing to you. Yes, every human being stands as only a vapor. Selah

6 Yes, a person goes about like a mere shadow. Indeed, they rush around in vain, gathering possessions without knowing who will get them.

7 “Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

8 Rescue me from all my transgressions; do not make me the taunt of fools.

9 I am speechless; I do not open my mouth because of what you have done.

10 Remove your torment from me. Because of the force of your hand I am finished.

11 You discipline a person with punishment for iniquity, consuming like a moth what is precious to him; yes, every human being is only a vapor. Selah

12 “Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry for help; do not be silent at my tears. For I am here with you as an alien, a temporary resident like all my ancestors.

13 Turn your angry gaze from me so that I may be cheered up before I die and am gone.”

The Prayer

The King of my Soul,

In fury

  • wrath
  • injustice
  • vengeance
  • rage
  • and anger
  • I cried out
  • not in righteousness of your Son
  • but if I examine my heart for a second
  • in my own self-righteousness.

I share

  • posts
  • memes
  • quotes
  • to try to take away the pain
  • when I should have been grieving
  • crying
  • interceding
  • and praying
  • because you have seen my iniquity
  • and you have withheld your mercy
  • and you have judged my land
  • unholy and unpleasing
  • to you.

My God,

  • make me ready
  • for what you are about to do
  • make me ready
  • to be taken in by you
  • make me ready
  • so that your Son will come back
  • now
  • today
  • right now
  • so that I can be with you.

Every person

  • that I have ever come across
  • save them
  • save them now
  • save them quickly
  • do not hesitate
  • strip their pride
  • crack their heart open
  • step into their eternity
  • and predestined to you
  • the only and only God
  • who alone is mighty to save.

Save them Lord

  • Save them to the utmost
  • Save them now
  • Take us home
  • None of us are waiting for anything worthwhile
  • because nothing that we could ever desire
  • compares to you.

We need you

  • desperately
  • right now.

Come Lord Jesus

  • Come quickly
  • Amen and amen.