For the choirmaster. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.”
Parallel translations
- WEB For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”
- KJV 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.
- NKJV 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.”
- NASB I said, “I will keep watch over my ways So that I do not sin with my tongue; I will keep watch over my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence.”
- NLT I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David resolves to guard his speech and not sin with his tongue, especially before the wicked. He bridles his mouth to avoid rash words.
Overview
This psalm, assigned to Jeduthun, opens with David's determination to restrain his speech amid provocation. He fears that complaint might dishonor God before unbelievers. The discipline of the tongue is a recurring biblical theme of wisdom and self-control (James 3:2-6).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 21
- Prov 21:23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
- Ps 141:3Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.
- Jas 1:26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
- Ps 119:9How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.
- Ps 34:13Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.
- Mic 7:5–6Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.
- Jas 3:2–8We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
- Heb 2:1We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
- Prov 18:21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
- 1 Kgs 2:4and so that the LORD may fulfill His promise to me: ‘If your descendants take heed to walk faithfully before Me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’
- Prov 4:26–27Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure.
- Ps 12:4They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?”
- Col 4:5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
- Job 2:10“You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
- Ps 62:1For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him.
- Ps 77:1For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cried out to God; I cried aloud to God to hear me.
- Amos 5:13Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.
- 2 Kgs 10:31Yet Jehu was not careful to follow the instruction of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit.
- Ps 73:8–9They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
- 1 Chr 16:41With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, for “His loving devotion endures forever.”
- 1 Chr 25:1–6Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 39:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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