Psalm 39 13

Psalm 39:13 kjv

O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

Psalm 39:13 nkjv

Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength, Before I go away and am no more."

Psalm 39:13 niv

Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more."

Psalm 39:13 esv

Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!"

Psalm 39:13 nlt

Leave me alone so I can smile again
before I am gone and exist no more.

Psalm 39 verses

Psalm 39 13 Meaning

Psalm 39:13 is a fervent plea from a suffering individual to God for a brief respite from divine discipline or heavy affliction before his inevitable death. It expresses a desire for restoration of physical or spiritual vigor, seeking a period of peace and recovery. This temporary relief is requested not to prolong life indefinitely, but to gather strength and composure, enabling a peaceful transition from this earthly existence before all opportunity for earthly interaction, worship, or preparation for death ceases.

Psalm 39 13 Context

Psalm 39 is a personal lament by David, characterized by a deep introspection on human frailty and the brevity of life, set against the backdrop of God's sovereign judgment and discipline. The psalmist initially resolves to keep silent amidst affliction, fearing that speaking might lead him to utter foolish or sinful words, particularly in the presence of the wicked (vv. 1-3). However, his pain becomes unbearable, compelling him to speak and articulate his plea to God. He acknowledges God's severe chastisement, which has withered his strength and made him feel like a moth-eaten garment (vv. 9-11). The preceding verses express his full submission to God's will and his hope in the Lord alone. Verse 13, therefore, is the culmination of this heartfelt cry: a request for a moment of grace and reprieve before death, understanding that his life on earth is but a transient pilgrimage, a passing shadow, with no enduring permanence in this physical realm. This context illuminates the depth of suffering and the sobering acceptance of mortality that shapes his prayer for mercy and brief renewal.

Psalm 39 13 Word analysis

• O spare me (חֲמַל-מִמֶּנִּי - chamal mimmeni):
  • חֲמַל (chamal): This verb means to "pity," "have compassion on," "spare," or "show mercy." It conveys a strong sense of divine compassion being sought.
  • מִמֶּנִּי (mimmeni): Literally "from me" or "from my being/life." The full phrase expresses a deep, personal appeal to God to lift the oppressive burden of suffering. It is a plea for God to relent from the disciplinary hand felt so heavily.
  • Significance: This is a cry for mercy, acknowledging God's rightful hand in the affliction, but humbly asking for a pause or mitigation. It recognizes God's absolute power to deliver or maintain life, contrasting with any pagan belief in fate or self-deliverance.
• that I may recover strength (יְבַלְּגָה - y'vall'gah):
  • יְבַלְּגָה (y'vall'gah): This Hiphil imperfect verb from the root בָּלַג (balag) means "to brighten up," "to cheer up," "to recover vigor," or "to revive." It suggests not just a physical restoration but also a renewal of joy, peace, or spirit.
  • Significance: The psalmist desires a revitalization, a renewed sense of well-being before the final departure. It is a hope for dignity and composure at the end, not to be overwhelmed by the suffering as he enters the grave. This concept stands against ancient practices that might seek revival through occult means, firmly rooting hope in divine intervention.
• before I go hence (בְּטֶרֶם אֵלֵךְ - b'terem elech):
  • בְּטֶרֶם (b'terem): Meaning "before," indicating a temporal sequence or condition.
  • אֵלֵךְ (elech): "I go." This is a euphemism for death, a journey from life. It's a common biblical expression reflecting the universal human experience of passing on from the earthly realm.
  • Significance: It frames the plea within the finite scope of earthly life, highlighting the limited window of opportunity for the desired recovery. It underscores the certainty and inevitability of death.
• and be no more (וְאֵינֶנִּי - v'einenni):
  • וְאֵינֶנִּי (v'einenni): This is a powerful, poignant phrase literally meaning "and I am not," or "and I am no longer in existence." It implies total cessation of presence, being removed from the realm of the living and observed world.
  • Significance: For the Old Testament worldview, this phrase often emphasized the finality of earthly life and a descent into Sheol (the grave/realm of the dead), where praise of God as understood in the land of the living ceased (Ps 6:5; Isa 38:18). While seeds of resurrection hope existed, here it starkly portrays the immediate, physical cessation of being among the living, underscoring the urgency of the preceding plea for strength. It provides a contrast to the later developed New Testament hope of immediate presence with the Lord after death (2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23).

• "O spare me... and be no more" (A complete expression of human vulnerability): This entire verse powerfully articulates the human awareness of mortality, the intense suffering, and the deep dependency on God for every breath and moment. It reveals a desire to experience divine mercy and peace even in the shadow of death, highlighting the importance of how one finishes the earthly pilgrimage. It reflects a humble recognition that all of life, including one's dying moments, is in God's hands. The phrase implicitly rejects any idea of self-sufficient strength in the face of death, firmly placing all hope in God's sovereign power and compassion.

Psalm 39 13 Bonus section

The concept of "be no more" in Psalm 39:13, from an Old Testament perspective, typically referred to a cessation of earthly existence and interaction, a return to dust, and entering Sheol. While the full revelation of resurrection and an immediate, conscious presence with God after death (as seen in the New Testament) had not yet been fully unveiled, there were always underlying beliefs in a life beyond the grave. The psalm implicitly touches on the fear of not being able to praise or interact with God on earth after death, as a dead body cannot worship in the physical realm (Ps 115:17). The desire for a period of renewed strength may also be viewed through a spiritual lens: a moment to prepare one's soul, to find full reconciliation, or to experience divine comfort, to ensure a departure that is in good standing with the Almighty, regardless of what follows in the afterlife. This adds a spiritual depth beyond mere physical recovery, speaking to the ultimate concern for one's relationship with God in light of eternity.

Psalm 39 13 Commentary

Psalm 39:13 is a tender, desperate supplication from a soul profoundly afflicted and facing the stark reality of impending death. The psalmist, burdened by divine chastisement and physical or spiritual exhaustion, cries out for mercy (to "spare me") to alleviate his immediate suffering. This is not a request for an indefinite postponement of death, but for a period of recuperation, a brief reprieve to "recover strength" or brighten his spirit, before he departs this earthly life forever ("before I go hence, and be no more"). The psalmist's plea underscores a universal human desire: to face the final transition with some measure of dignity, peace, or inner preparedness, rather than under the crushing weight of ongoing affliction. It speaks to the recognition of God's sovereignty over life and death, acknowledging that any strength, any comfort, any moment of ease, must come from Him alone. This verse resonates deeply with believers facing significant trials or nearing the end of their lives, highlighting the biblical value of seeking God's grace for the journey's completion.