Thoughts as I study Psalm 39. Just the first three verses -
I
said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my
mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.” 2 I was mute with silence, I held my peace even
from good; And my sorrow was stirred up. 3 My heart
was hot within me; While I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke
with my tongue:
There is a time when it is best, as right as you may be, to just be quiet. The Psalm-singer understood this. Certainly Jesus did as well. It is not that you don't have a good answer, a correction to the falsehoods being declared and lived out, even against you (and maybe especially in those times when it is against you).
There are times when you should not speak to men about it. However, it is important to notice then the Psalm-singer is letting God know. He is speaking to God about it. Interestingly, the Psalm seems to end (v13) with the Psalm-singer even saying that he will cease from speaking to God about it. Even here, it may be that he is ceasing to argue with the Lord and instead hoping in God and resting in that hope - resting in such a way that there is no need to speak about it anymore.
Helpful Cross-References:
V1 – “…while the wicked are before me”
Colossians 4:5 (NKJV)
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
V2 – “I was mute with silence”
Isaiah 53:7 (NKJV)
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
Matthew 27:12-14 (NKJV)
12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. 13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. 13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
“I held my peace even from good”
Matthew 7:6 (NKJV)
6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
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