Psalms 39:1

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.”

📖 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

Referenced Verses

• 1 Kgs 2:4 : 4 and the LORD will fulfill his promise to me,‘If your descendants watch their step and live faithfully in my presence with all their heart and being, then,’ he promised,‘you will not fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’
• 2 Kgs 10:31 : 31 But Jehu did not carefully and wholeheartedly obey the law of the LORD God of Israel. He did not repudiate the sins which Jeroboam had encouraged Israel to commit.
• Job 2:10 : 10 But he replied,“You’re talking like one of the godless women would do! Should we receive what is good from God, and not also receive what is evil?” In all this Job did not sin by what he said.
• Ps 62:1 : 1 For the music director, Jeduthun; a psalm of David. For God alone I patiently wait; he is the one who delivers me.
• 1 Chr 16:41 : 41 Joining them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD.(For his loyal love endures!)
• Ps 119:9 : 9 ב(Bet) How can a young person maintain a pure life? By guarding it according to your instructions!
• Ps 141:3 : 3 O LORD, place a guard on my mouth! Protect the opening of my lips!
• Prov 4:26-27 : 26 Make the path for your feet level, so that all your ways may be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or to the left; turn yourself away from evil.
• Prov 18:21 : 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.
• Prov 21:23 : 23 The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles.
• Amos 5:13 : 13 For this reason whoever is smart keeps quiet in such a time, for it is an evil time.
• Mic 7:5-6 : 5 Do not rely on a friend; do not trust a companion! Even with the one who lies in your arms, do not share secrets! 6 For a son thinks his father is a fool, a daughter challenges her mother, and a daughter-in-law her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are his own family.
• Col 4:5 : 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.
• Heb 2:1 : 1 Warning Against Drifting Away Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
• Jas 1:26 : 26 If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile.
• Jas 3:2-8 : 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. 3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. 4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. 5 So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. 6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence– and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. 8 But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
• 1 Chr 25:1-6 : 1 David Organizes the Musicians David and the army officers selected some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy as they played stringed instruments and cymbals. The following men were assigned this responsibility: 2 From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were supervised by Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision. 3 From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah– six in all, under supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied as he played a harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. 4 From the sons of Heman: 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 prophet. God had promised him these sons in order to make him prestigious. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 All of these were under the supervision of their fathers; they were musicians in the LORD’s temple, playing cymbals and stringed instruments as they served in God’s temple. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the supervision of the king.
• Ps 73:8-9 : 8 They mock and say evil things; they proudly threaten violence. 9 They speak as if they rule in heaven, and lay claim to the earth.
• Ps 77:1 : 1 For the music director, Jeduthun; a psalm of Asaph. I will cry out to God and call for help! I will cry out to God and he will pay attention to me.
• Ps 12:4 : 4 They say,“We speak persuasively; we know how to flatter and boast. Who is our master?”
• Ps 34:13 : 13 Then make sure you don’t speak evil words or use deceptive speech!