"The Prayer of a Heart in Anguish" Psalm 39, July 5th, 2026

Sermon TextPsalm 3939 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! Selah6     Surely a man goes about as a shadow!Surely for nothing[a] 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! Selah12 “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!”