February 27, 2017
TALK THE TALK AND WALK THE WALK BUT ONLY THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Psalm 39
Maggie Levy
Central Truth
Sometimes the right thing to say is nothing at all, and we need the Holy Spirit to do this faithfully.
Key Verse | Psalm 39:1
I said, “I will guard my ways,
that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,
so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
(Psalm 39:1)
Psalm 39
What Is the Measure of My Days?
To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1
I said, “I will guard my ways,
that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,
so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
2
I was mute and silent;
I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
3
My heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4
“O LORD, make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!
5
Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
6
Surely a man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing
1
39:6
Hebrew Surely as a breath
they are in turmoil;
man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
7
And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in you.
8
Deliver me from all my transgressions.
Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
9
I am mute; I do not open my mouth,
for it is you who have done it.
10
Remove your stroke from me;
I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
11
When you discipline a man
with rebukes for sin,
you consume like a moth what is dear to him;
surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah
12
Hear my prayer, O LORD,
and give ear to my cry;
hold not your peace at my tears!
For I am a sojourner with you,
a guest, like all my fathers.
13
Look away from me, that I may smile again,
before I depart and am no more!”
Dive Deeper | Psalm 39
If you’re confused about Psalm 39:1, I was too at first. But this verse definitely spoke to me.
The first part of this verse says, “I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue.” I think “I will” are the key words here, and they indicate that the author feels he has control.
The second part says, “I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” The author is recognizing he needs to be physically restrained by the muzzle, because he cannot, in his own strength, be nice with his words toward less than nice people. James 3:1-12, is all about taming the tongue. In verses 8-10a, James observes, “[N]o human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.”
When I am around people I like, I am more likely to be kind with my words. When around fellow believers I feel more accountable for what I say. But when I am around people who are mean, rude, or wicked, it’s hard to control my anger and filter words in my own strength. I need a muzzle to keep my mouth shut.
At the age of eight, I finally understood my need for God’s grace and that my words hurt others. I realized that, because God created and loves everyone, my words hurt God. James 1:26 says, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” If I say I am a follower of Christ, but don’t “talk the talk and walk the walk” then I am no better than the wicked. I want my life to be a reflection of God’s grace and mercy. I want to share how He has transformed my life. So if I need to wear a muzzle, I trust God with that!
Discussion Questions
1. Where are you or who are you around when you feel most inclined to say something bad or dishonoring? What is it about those circumstances or people that makes you feel that way? Ask God to transform your heart and control your tongue.
2. Are there specific people in your family or life from whom you need to ask for forgiveness? Do you wish you had been "muzzled"? What is stopping you from seeking them out?
3. Here are some verses I found to pray through for help.
Proverbs 13:3 says, "Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."
Luke 6:45 says, "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
Will you pray through these verses, too?