Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
Ps 39 This prayer for rescue reflects the psalmist’s discouragement, which comes from having a limited perspective on his situation. 39:title Jeduthun was a levitical singer appointed by David along with Asaph (1 Chr 9:16; 16:38; 25:1). 39:1-3 Suffering in silence only intensifies the psalmist’s anguish, pain, and inner turmoil.
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
Ps 39 This prayer for rescue reflects the psalmist’s discouragement, which comes from having a limited perspective on his situation. 39:title Jeduthun was a levitical singer appointed by David along with Asaph (1 Chr 9:16; 16:38; 25:1). 39:1-3 Suffering in silence only intensifies the psalmist’s anguish, pain, and inner turmoil.
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
My heart burned within me; the fire was kindled in my musing: I spoke with my tongue,
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
My heart was hot within me; While I was musing the fire burned; Then spake I with my tongue:
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned. I spoke with my tongue:
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
My heart was burning in my breast; while I was deep in thought the fire was lighted; then I said with my tongue,