Psalm 39 2

Psalm 39:2 kjv

I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

Psalm 39:2 nkjv

I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; And my sorrow was stirred up.

Psalm 39:2 niv

So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased;

Psalm 39:2 esv

I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.

Psalm 39:2 nlt

But as I stood there in silence ?
not even speaking of good things ?
the turmoil within me grew worse.

Psalm 39 verses

Psalm 39 2 Meaning

Psalm 39:2 describes the psalmist's conscious choice to remain silent and motionless, withholding even beneficial or appropriate speech. This deliberate suppression, however, did not alleviate his suffering; instead, it caused his internal pain and sorrow to intensify and grow more agitated, becoming like a burning fire within him. It reveals the complex and sometimes counterproductive nature of silencing one's anguish, especially when in the presence of those who might misunderstand or mock.

Psalm 39 2 Context

Psalm 39 is a personal lament, likely attributed to David, where the psalmist grapples with the brevity of human life, the severity of his suffering, and the enigma of God's actions. Verse 2 immediately follows his resolute decision in verse 1 to "guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will keep a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence." This initial intention, driven by a desire not to offend or provide an opportunity for the wicked to mock God or himself, forms the direct context. Verse 2 reveals the painful and unintended consequence of this forced silence: internal turmoil. The chapter then continues with the psalmist's plea to God to reveal the full extent of his remaining life, his reflection on the fleeting nature of existence, and finally, a fervent prayer for relief from his affliction. Historically, this psalm reflects a deep, personal struggle, perhaps during illness or intense opposition, typical of many laments found within the Psalter.

Psalm 39 2 Word analysis

• I was silent (נֶאֱלַ֣מְתִּי, ne'ělǎm·tî): From the Hebrew verb אָלַם ('alam), meaning to be mute or bound. This suggests a forced, perhaps even vow-like, muteness. It implies a deliberate effort to suppress speech, an act of intentional self-restraint. It is an internal state chosen by the psalmist.

• and still (דּוּמִיָּה, dûmîyāh): A noun derived from the root דָּמַם (dāmam), meaning silence, quietness, or stillness. This word intensifies the preceding "silent," emphasizing not just the absence of sound, but also a deep inner quietude or immobility. It speaks of a state of internal and external inactivity concerning speech.

• I held my peace (הֶחֱשֵׁ֣יתִי, heḥĕšêtî): From the verb חָשָׁה (ḥāšāh), also meaning to be silent, keep quiet, or be motionless. This term reiterates the resolve for silence, perhaps highlighting its duration or persistence. The use of two distinct but related verbs for "silent" and "held my peace" suggests a complete and resolute adherence to this non-verbal state.

• even from good (מִטּ֑וֹב, miṭ·ṭōv): The preposition מִן (min) means "from" or "away from," and טוֹב (ṭōv) means "good," "beneficial," or "pleasant." This is a crucial phrase. It implies that the silence extended beyond merely refraining from negative or unwise words. The psalmist withheld words that could have been good: perhaps a protest of his innocence, a cry for comfort, words of genuine lament to God, or even an expression of trust that would have been beneficial for his soul. This specific withholding contributes to the later internal turmoil.

• and my sorrow (וּכְאֵבִּ֥י, ū·ḵə'êḇ·î): The conjunction וּ (u) means "and." כְּאֵב (kə'ēv) signifies "pain," "grief," or "sorrow." The suffix -י (-i) indicates "my." This refers to the deep, inner emotional and perhaps physical anguish the psalmist was experiencing.

• was stirred (נֶחְמָּֽר, neḥmār): From the verb חָמַר (ḥāmar), meaning to boil up, to ferment, to be hot or inflamed, or to become dark/disturbed. This word vividly depicts the internal impact of suppressed emotion. The sorrow was not diminished by the silence; rather, it became more agitated, intensely active, and perhaps even putrefied internally, like wine fermenting or a wound becoming inflamed. It emphasizes the active, intensifying nature of his pain despite outward stillness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I was silent and still; I held my peace": These phrases together form a triple emphasis on the psalmist's resolute, intentional, and perhaps disciplined self-silencing. This highlights the considerable effort expended in maintaining this non-verbal state.

• "even from good": This phrase elevates the severity of the silence. It was not just restraining from bad or ill-advised words, but from speech that might have brought release, sought comfort, expressed genuine feeling, or even voiced righteous appeals. This indicates a deeply internalised struggle where expressing his truth felt impossible or counterproductive.

• "and my sorrow was stirred": This describes the critical consequence of the prolonged, comprehensive silence. The suppression did not dissipate the grief but instead caused it to boil and intensify internally. It conveys a strong sense of inner agitation, where pain, unvented, festered and grew more potent within the psalmist.

Psalm 39 2 Bonus section

The psalmist's experience here touches on the theological concept of hesed (lovingkindness) not being experienced or acknowledged during suffering, leading to profound questioning. When hesed seems absent, humans naturally feel compelled to speak or complain. The chosen silence in this verse is therefore particularly striking; it's a profound self-imposed restraint in the face of what feels like divine indifference or heavy discipline, amplifying the sense of abandonment or isolation that the psalmist wrestled with throughout this psalm. It underscores a deep, unresolved spiritual tension within the psalmist that needed expression, yet he was unwilling to allow that expression to compromise his witness or give fodder to his adversaries.

Psalm 39 2 Commentary

Psalm 39:2 offers a poignant illustration of the internal cost of suppressed anguish. The psalmist's decision to maintain absolute silence, particularly "even from good," stemmed from a wise intention – to avoid sinning with his tongue in the presence of the wicked (Ps 39:1). He chose a disciplined quietness, perhaps hoping to protect the reputation of God or prevent scorn from those hostile to faith. However, this verse reveals a vital spiritual and psychological truth: emotional suppression does not extinguish sorrow; it merely reroutes and intensifies it internally. The "stirred" sorrow speaks to the painful reality that unaddressed grief, pain, or frustration can ferment within, becoming hotter and more severe. This psalm subtly contrasts outward stoicism with inner turmoil, suggesting that while wise restraint in speech is commendable, genuine lament and transparent confession before God (even if unspoken to men) are essential for the soul's health. The psalmist implicitly highlights the need to find a healthy outlet for one's pain, if not with men, then certainly with God. For instance, in our lives, remaining silent to avoid escalating an argument might seem wise, but suppressing our genuine hurts for too long without seeking counsel or spiritual expression can lead to inner bitterness and increasing emotional distress. We are called to be slow to speak (Jas 1:19), but also to "pour out your heart before him" (Ps 62:8).