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This is the second of four psalms wherein David expresses his deep depression, grief, and suffering. He tried not talking, but that gave him no peace. He tried calling out, but nothing happened. Then he demanded to know how much longer he had to suffer, but God was silent. If this is all there is left, then why not just take me now?! But still … God is incommunicado. Does this sound familiar? Have you ever felt like you were being ignored by God in the midst of suffering? But there is a thread of hope in one of the Hebrew words David uses in this psalm, as well as a hint as to the purpose of our suffering.
To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun [ידותון] A Psalm of David.
1-6 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 one is before me.” 2 I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my pain grew worse. 3 My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: 4 “Adonai, 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; it is but for futility they are in turmoil; man amasses [riches] and does not know who will gather them!
כאב (ca’av)
7-11 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 was mute; I did not open my mouth, for it was You who did 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
תוחלת (tochelet) = “hope, expectation”
vs.
תכלת (t’cheilet) = “blue [thread]”
12-13 “Hear my prayer, Adonai, 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 [or “catch my breath”] again, before I depart and am no more.”
REFERENCES:
Approbation
1 Chronicles 16:41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and expressly named to give thanks to Adonai, for His steadfast love endures forever.
Verse 2
Psalm 69:29 But I am afflicted and in pain; let Your salvation, O God, set me on high!
Verse 3
Matthew 12:34 … For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Verse 7
Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation (תוחלת, tochelet) of the wicked will perish.
Proverbs 13:12 Hope (תוחלת, tochelet) deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Verse 13
Job 10:20-21 Are not my days few? Then cease, and let me be, that I may find a little cheer (אבליגה, avligah) before I go – and I shall not return – to the land of darkness and deep shadow.
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