Psalm 39 8

Psalm 39:8 kjv

Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

Psalm 39:8 nkjv

Deliver me from all my transgressions; Do not make me the reproach of the foolish.

Psalm 39:8 niv

Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.

Psalm 39:8 esv

Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool!

Psalm 39:8 nlt

Rescue me from my rebellion.
Do not let fools mock me.

Psalm 39 verses

Psalm 39 8 Meaning

Psalm 39:8 is a heartfelt plea to God for deliverance from the spiritual consequences of sin, particularly the public shame it can bring. The psalmist prays that God would not allow his personal transgressions to become a source of scorn or mockery for those who reject divine wisdom and understanding, thereby implicitly safeguarding God's own name and honor among unbelievers. It expresses a deep awareness of sin's ability to not only personally damage but also tarnish the witness of faith.

Psalm 39 8 Context

Psalm 39 belongs to the category of wisdom laments, penned by David. The preceding verses (v.1-3) express the psalmist's resolute determination to control his tongue in the presence of the wicked, to avoid uttering foolish or sinful words, even as inner turmoil grows. However, this restraint eventually gives way to open supplication to God as his suffering intensifies. Verses 4-6 then reveal a deep meditation on human frailty, the brevity of life, and the futility of human endeavors without God, culminating in the psalmist acknowledging that his "hope is in You alone" (v. 7).

Verse 8 logically follows this realization. Recognizing his own vulnerability, his finite nature, and the ultimate hope in God, the psalmist then addresses the source of his profound distress: his transgressions. He understands that his sin could become a public scandal, providing fuel for the mockery of those who oppose God and His people. Thus, the plea for deliverance from transgression is not merely a request for personal pardon but is intrinsically linked to preserving the honor of God's name and avoiding disgrace in the eyes of the spiritually foolish. The subsequent verses (v. 9-13) continue the lament, accepting divine discipline while still appealing for mercy and understanding from God, before his impending death. The historical context reflects a king, David, burdened by his own sin and the afflictions that follow, deeply concerned with how his life, particularly his failings, might reflect upon the God he serves, especially in the presence of a cynical world.

Psalm 39 8 Word analysis

• Deliver me (הַצִּילֵנִי - hattziléni):

  • From the Hebrew root נצל (natzal), meaning to deliver, rescue, snatch away, draw out, save.
  • Implies urgent, forceful intervention from a state of peril or capture.
  • Not merely "forgive," but an active, strong divine rescue from the entanglement and consequences of sin.
  • It speaks of God's power to intervene and change circumstances.

• from all my transgressions (מִכָּל־פְּשָׁעָי - mikkol-p'sha'ay):

  • all (kol): Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the plea, acknowledging every single breach of trust and rebellion against God. No sin is hidden or minimized.
  • my transgressions (פְּשָׁעָי - p'sha'ay): From the Hebrew noun פֶּשַׁע (pesha') (plural pesha'im), meaning rebellion, revolt, transgression, sin, trespass.
  • It denotes a willful act of rebellion against an authority, a breaking of a covenant or trust.
  • This is not simply a mistake, but a conscious crossing of a boundary established by God, a breach of fidelity.
  • It highlights personal accountability and the seriousness with which sin is viewed.

• make me not (אַל־תְּשִׂימֵנִי - 'al-t'simeni):

  • A strong negative imperative, "do not set/place/appoint me," or "do not allow me to become."
  • This shows a plea for God's active prevention, His sovereign intervention to avert an undesirable outcome.
  • It is a request for God to guard His servant from a specific, detrimental fate.

• the reproach (חֶרְפָּה - cherpâh):

  • Meaning disgrace, shame, taunt, scorn, insult, humiliation.
  • It carries the connotation of public humiliation, scandal, or a cause for contempt.
  • Crucially, in the biblical context, "reproach" often relates to a blemish on honor or reputation, especially one that impacts God's name through the actions of His people (Rom 2:24; Ezek 36:20-23). The concern here is not just personal feeling, but how the ungodly would interpret it.

• of the foolish (נָבָל - nāvāl):

  • Meaning fool, impious, wicked, morally corrupt, godless.
  • This term is profound in Hebrew wisdom literature, distinguishing itself from simple lack of intelligence (kesil or 'evil).
  • A naval is one who despises wisdom, spurns God's counsel, lives without moral principle, and is often arrogant, coarse, and contemptuous of the things of God (Ps 14:1, Prov 17:7, 21). Their "folly" is moral and spiritual perversion, actively rejecting the fear of the Lord (Prov 1:7).
  • The psalmist's concern is that his sins will give occasion for these morally depraved and God-despising individuals to mock him, and by extension, his God.

• Word-groups Analysis:

  • "Deliver me from all my transgressions": This phrase captures a profound longing for spiritual freedom and cleansing. It shows the psalmist understands that sin is not merely an external action but an internal binding state from which he needs powerful, divine liberation. It's a recognition of personal responsibility coupled with a plea for divine mercy and power to undo what sin has wrought.
  • "make me not the reproach of the foolish": This links personal holiness to public witness. The psalmist is keenly aware that his actions, particularly his failures, could be seized upon by those hostile to God's ways, serving as evidence or an excuse to disparage God or His followers. It emphasizes a deep concern for God's reputation in a cynical world, highlighting that individual sin has corporate and cosmic implications. It also functions as a "polemic" against the beliefs of "fools" who think a faithful person's misfortune due to sin somehow diminishes God.

Psalm 39 8 Bonus section

The request in Psalm 39:8, "make me not the reproach of the foolish," extends beyond personal humiliation. It connects directly to the idea of the "Sanctification of the Name" (Kiddush Hashem in Judaism), where a believer's actions are meant to bring honor to God's name, while sin can profane it (Chillul Hashem). The Psalmist fears that his sinful state would allow the 'naval'—whose characteristic is not mere intellectual dullness but a fundamental rejection of God—to gain an upper hand and say, "Where is their God now?" This would imply God's inability to save or maintain His covenant, thus bringing reproach upon God Himself. It implicitly appeals to God's jealousy for His own glory, transforming a personal lament into a petition for God to act for His own sake, through His servant's preservation from disgrace. This echoes similar pleas by Moses and other biblical figures for God to spare His people so that His name would not be defamed among the nations. The Cross of Christ represents the ultimate answer to this prayer for all believers, as Christ bore the ultimate reproach and shame for our transgressions (Heb 12:2; 13:13), ensuring that those who are in Him are ultimately made righteous and will not face eternal reproach (Rom 5:1).

Psalm 39 8 Commentary

Psalm 39:8 is a cry of deep spiritual anguish, not just for forgiveness but for God's protective intervention against the public shaming that sin can inflict. David acknowledges the full extent of his transgressions—"all my transgressions"—understanding that his actions could provide an open door for the spiritually corrupt and God-denying "foolish" to mock not only him but implicitly, the God he serves. This reflects a profound concern for God's holy name and reputation among the ungodly, a theme echoed elsewhere in Scripture where God acts to preserve His glory in the face of His people's failures (Ezek 36:20-23). The prayer highlights that sin’s impact extends beyond personal guilt to affecting the witness of God’s people. It is a plea for God to actively shield His servant from being a public spectacle of disgrace, allowing believers to bear true witness to God's redemptive power rather than providing ammunition for skeptics. This reminds believers that their conduct, particularly when they falter, can have implications for how God is perceived in the world, urging a deeper commitment to repentance and walking worthy of His call.

• Examples:
  • A Christian leader whose hidden sin becomes public, causing non-believers to mock Christianity.
  • A believer whose consistent righteous living protects God's name in a critical workplace environment.