Psalms 39:1

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

For the director of music, for Jeduthun, a psalm of David.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ לִֽידוּת֗וּן מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃

Transliteration

To-the-mənaṣṣēaḥ to-yədûtûn mizmôr to-dāwid

Grammar Details

• *mənaṣṣēaḥ*: noun, masculine singular with prefixed preposition 'lə' - to/for the director/chief musician
• *yədûtûn*: proper noun with prefixed preposition 'lə' - to/for Jeduthun (possibly a musician or music style)
• *mizmôr*: noun, masculine singular construct - psalm/melody
• *dāwid*: proper noun with prefixed preposition 'lə' - to/for/of David

Word Meanings

• *mənaṣṣēaḥ*: director/chief musician/conductor/overseer
• *yədûtûn*: Jeduthun (proper name of musician or musical guild or style)
• *mizmôr*: psalm/melody/song/musical composition

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A alm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  I said, I will be careful of my ways, so that I do not sin with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked are before me.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  For the Chief Musician, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said{H8804)}, I will take heed{H8799)} to my ways, that I sin{H8800)} not with my tongue: I will keep{H8799)} my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  I sayde: I wil kepe my waies, that I offended not in my tonge.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  To the excellent musician Ieduthun. A Psalme of Dauid. I thought, I will take heede to my wayes, that I sinne not with my tongue: I will keepe my mouth brideled, while the wicked is in my sight.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  To the chiefe musition Ieduthun, a psalme of Dauid. I sayde to my selfe I wyll take heede to my wayes, that I offende not in my tongue: I wyll kepe my mouth as it were with a brydell, whylest the vngodly is in my syght.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ To the chief Musician, [even] to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  > I said, "I will watch my ways, so that I don't sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me."

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  To the Overseer, to Jeduthun. -- A Psalm of David. I have said, `I observe my ways, Against sinning with my tongue, I keep for my mouth a curb, while the wicked `is' before me.'

• American Standard Version (1901)

  I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  [For the Chief Musician, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David]. I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  <To the chief music-maker. Of Jeduthun. A Psalm. Of David.> I said, I will give attention to my ways, so that my tongue may do no wrong; I will keep my mouth under control, while the sinner is before me.

• World English Bible (2000)

  I said, "I will watch my ways, so that I don't sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me."

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  For the music director, Jeduthun; a psalm of David. I decided,“I will watch what I say and make sure I do not sin with my tongue. I will put a muzzle over my mouth while in the presence of an evil man.”

Referenced Verses

• 1 Kgs 2:4 : 4 And you will ensure that the LORD fulfills His promise to me, saying, 'If your sons are careful to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.'
• 2 Kgs 10:31 : 31 But Jehu did not walk in the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins that Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit.
• Job 2:10 : 10 But he replied, 'You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?' In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
• Ps 62:1 : 1 For the director of music, according to Jeduthun, a psalm of David.
• 1 Chr 16:41 : 41 Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen were designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.
• Ps 119:9 : 9 How can a young person keep their way pure? By living according to Your word.
• Ps 141:3 : 3 Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
• Prov 4:26-27 : 26 Consider the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or to the left; keep your foot away from evil.
• Prov 18:21 : 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
• Prov 21:23 : 23 Whoever guards their mouth and tongue keeps themselves from troubles.
• Amos 5:13 : 13 Therefore, the prudent person will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.
• Mic 7:5-6 : 5 Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a close friend. Guard the words of your mouth from her who lies in your embrace. 6 For a son treats his father with contempt, a daughter rises against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.
• Col 4:5 : 5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
• Heb 2:1 : 1 Therefore, we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away.
• Jas 1:26 : 26 If anyone thinks he is religious but does not bridle his tongue, and deceives his heart, his religion is worthless.
• Jas 3:2-8 : 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to also control his whole body. 3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look also at the ships: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it boasts of great things. Consider how a small fire sets a great forest ablaze. 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting the entire course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
• 1 Chr 25:1-6 : 1 David, along with the army leaders, set apart the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for the work of prophesying, using harps, lyres, and cymbals. Their work and number of those engaged in this service were recorded. 2 From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the guidance of the king. 3 From Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun were Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, Mattithiah—six in total. They were under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praising the LORD. 4 From Heman: the sons of Heman were Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. 5 All these were the sons of Heman, the king's seer, who was entrusted with the words of God to exalt his power. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 All these men were under their father's direction for the music in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, lyres, and harps for the service of the house of God. They were under the direction of the king, Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.
• Ps 73:8-9 : 8 They scoff and speak with malice; with arrogance, they threaten oppression. 9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut through the earth.
• Ps 77:1 : 1 For the Chief Musician, according to Jeduthun, a psalm of Asaph.
• Ps 12:4 : 4 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks with arrogance.
• Ps 34:13 : 13 Who is the person who desires life and loves many days to see good?