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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 39:13 Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/39-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/19_Psa_039_013.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 39:13 - I Will Watch My Ways" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/39-12.htm" title="Psalm 39:12">◄</a> Psalm 39:13 <a href="/psalms/40-1.htm" title="Psalm 40:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/39.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/39.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/39.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/39.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/39.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/39.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/39.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength, Before I go away and am no more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/39.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Turn Your eyes away from me, that I may become cheerful <i>again</i> Before I depart and am no more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/39.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again Before I depart and am no more.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/39.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Turn Thy gaze away from me, that I may smile <i>again</i>, Before I depart and am no more.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/39.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile <i>again</i> Before I go and am no more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/39.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“O look away from me, that I may smile <i>and</i> again know joy Before I depart and am no more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/39.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Turn your angry gaze from me so that I may be cheered up before I die and am gone.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/39.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Turn Your angry gaze from me so that I may be cheered up before I die and am gone.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/39.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, Before I go hence, and be no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/39.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Stop being angry with me and let me smile again before I am dead and gone." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/39.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/39.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Look away from me so that I may smile again before I go away and am no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/39.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Leave me alone so that I may have some happiness before I go away and am no more. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/39.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Stop looking at me with chastisement, so I can smile again, before I depart and am no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/39.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Turn your angry gaze away from me, so I can be happy before I pass away. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/39.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away, and exist no more."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/39.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/39.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/39.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away and exist no more.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/39.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Look from me, and I brighten up before I go and am not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/39.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Look from me, and I brighten up before I go and am not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/39.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Look away from me, and I shall be cheerful, before I shall go and I not be.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/39.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />O forgive me, that I may be refreshed, before I go hence, and be no more. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/39.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 38:14>Forgive me, so that I may be refreshed, before I will go forth and be no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/39.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Turn your gaze from me, that I may smile before I depart to be no more. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/39.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Turn your gaze away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/39.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />O deliver me, that I may rest in peace before I pass away and be no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/39.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Save me, and I shall rest, lest I depart and I shall be no more. <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/39.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Look away from me, that I may take comfort, Before I go hence, and be no more.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/39.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Spare me, that I may be refreshed, before I depart, and be no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/39-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=4660" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/39.htm">I Will Watch My Ways</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8159.htm" title="8159: hā·ša‘ (V-Hifil-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to gaze at or about; by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed or bewildered.">Turn Your gaze</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nî (Prep:: 1cs) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">away from me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1082.htm" title="1082: wə·’aḇ·lî·ḡāh (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cs) -- To gleam, smile. A primitive root; to break off or loose, i.e. Desist or invade.">that I may again be cheered</a> <a href="/hebrew/2962.htm" title="2962: bə·ṭe·rem (Prep-b:: Adv) -- From an unused root apparently meaning to interrupt or suspend; properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: ’ê·lêḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">I depart</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ê·nen·nî (Conj-w:: Adv:: 1cs) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">and am no more.”</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/7-19.htm">Job 7:19</a></span><br />Will You never look away from me, or leave me alone to swallow my spittle?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/10-20.htm">Job 10:20-21</a></span><br />Are my days not few? Withdraw from me, that I may have a little comfort, / before I go—never to return—to a land of darkness and gloom,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/102-24.htm">Psalm 102:24</a></span><br />I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days! Your years go on through all generations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/38-10.htm">Isaiah 38:10-12</a></span><br />I said, “In the prime of my life I must go through the gates of Sheol and be deprived of the remainder of my years.” / I said, “I will never again see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living; I will no longer look on mankind with those who dwell in this world. / My dwelling has been picked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent. I have rolled up my life like a weaver; He cuts me off from the loom; from day until night You make an end of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-6.htm">Job 14:6</a></span><br />look away from him and let him rest, so he can enjoy his day as a hired hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-10.htm">Psalm 90:10</a></span><br />The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-15.htm">Psalm 103:15-16</a></span><br />As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a></span><br />You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a></span><br />For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-17.htm">2 Corinthians 4:17-18</a></span><br />For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/1-23.htm">Philippians 1:23</a></span><br />I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-6.htm">2 Timothy 4:6</a></span><br />For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/47-9.htm">Genesis 47:9</a></span><br />“My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/29-15.htm">1 Chronicles 29:15</a></span><br />For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm">Hebrews 11:13</a></span><br />All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.</p><p class="hdg">spare</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/10-20.htm">Job 10:20,21</a></b></br> <i>Are</i> not my days few? cease <i>then, and</i> let me alone, that I may take comfort a little, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/14-5.htm">Job 14:5,6</a></b></br> Seeing his days <i>are</i> determined, the number of his months <i>are</i> with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; … </p><p class="hdg">be no</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/5-24.htm">Genesis 5:24</a></b></br> And Enoch walked with God: and he <i>was</i> not; for God took him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/42-36.htm">Genesis 42:36</a></b></br> And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved <i>of my children</i>: Joseph <i>is</i> not, and Simeon <i>is</i> not, and ye will take Benjamin <i>away</i>: all these things are against me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/14-10.htm">Job 14:10-12</a></b></br> But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where <i>is</i> he? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/10-20.htm">Brighten</a> <a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/psalms/39-2.htm">Comfort</a> <a href="/job/42-11.htm">Comforted</a> <a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">David</a> <a href="/psalms/37-27.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/revelation/17-11.htm">Exist</a> <a href="/psalms/27-4.htm">Gaze</a> <a href="/psalms/35-27.htm">Gladness</a> <a href="/ezra/6-6.htm">Hence</a> <a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">Musician</a> <a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">Psalm</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-13.htm">Recover</a> <a href="/psalms/38-16.htm">Rejoice</a> <a href="/job/10-3.htm">Smile</a> <a href="/job/33-24.htm">Spare</a> <a href="/psalms/38-10.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/psalms/39-10.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/39-11.htm">Wrath</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/9-27.htm">Brighten</a> <a href="/psalms/40-1.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/psalms/71-21.htm">Comfort</a> <a href="/psalms/63-5.htm">Comforted</a> <a href="/psalms/40-1.htm">David</a> <a href="/psalms/55-11.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/psalms/104-33.htm">Exist</a> <a href="/psalms/59-10.htm">Gaze</a> <a href="/psalms/43-4.htm">Gladness</a> <a href="/psalms/102-24.htm">Hence</a> <a href="/psalms/40-1.htm">Musician</a> <a href="/psalms/40-1.htm">Psalm</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-11.htm">Recover</a> <a href="/psalms/40-16.htm">Rejoice</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-25.htm">Smile</a> <a href="/psalms/59-5.htm">Spare</a> <a href="/psalms/40-12.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/psalms/40-4.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/55-3.htm">Wrath</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 39</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">David's care of his thoughts</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/39-4.htm">The consideration of the brevity and vanity of life</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/39-7.htm">the reverence of God's judgments</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/39-10.htm">and prayer, are his bridles of impatience</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/39.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/39.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Turn Your gaze away from me</b><br>This phrase reflects a plea for relief from divine scrutiny or judgment. In the context of the psalm, David is expressing a sense of being overwhelmed by God's discipline. The idea of God "turning His gaze" can be seen in other scriptures, such as <a href="/job/7-19.htm">Job 7:19</a>, where Job asks God to look away so he can swallow his spit. This reflects a common biblical theme where God's intense presence is both a source of blessing and a cause for fear when one is under conviction or discipline. Theologically, it underscores the holiness of God and the human awareness of sinfulness.<p><b>that I may again be cheered</b><br>David seeks restoration of joy and peace, which he feels is hindered by God's current focus on his sin. This request for cheer or joy is a recurring theme in the Psalms, where the psalmist often moves from lament to hope. The desire for joy is also echoed in <a href="/psalms/51-12.htm">Psalm 51:12</a>, where David asks God to restore the joy of salvation. Theologically, it points to the belief that true joy comes from a right relationship with God, free from the burden of sin.<p><b>before I depart and am no more.</b><br>This phrase acknowledges the brevity of life, a theme prevalent in wisdom literature such as Ecclesiastes and Job. It reflects the understanding of life’s transient nature and the urgency of seeking reconciliation with God. The phrase "am no more" can be seen as a reference to death, emphasizing the finality and seriousness of life’s end. In the broader biblical narrative, it highlights the importance of living in a way that is pleasing to God, as life is fleeting. This urgency is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to live in readiness for Christ's return (e.g., <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-2.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:2-6</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/39.htm">Psalm 39</a>, David is expressing his deep anguish and desire for relief from God's discipline.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The recipient of David's plea, God is portrayed as the one who disciplines and whose gaze can bring both comfort and distress.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of David's life and his role as king of Israel is significant.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/mortality.htm">Mortality</a></b><br>The theme of human mortality and the brevity of life is a central focus in this Psalm.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/divine_discipline.htm">Divine Discipline</a></b><br>The event of experiencing God's discipline is implied, as David seeks relief from it.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_divine_discipline.htm">Understanding Divine Discipline</a></b><br>Recognize that God's discipline is an expression of His love and desire for our growth. It is not meant to harm but to refine us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_brevity_of_life.htm">The Brevity of Life</a></b><br>Reflect on the shortness of life and the importance of living with an eternal perspective. This awareness should drive us to live purposefully and wisely.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_presence.htm">Seeking God's Presence</a></b><br>While David asks for God's gaze to turn away, it is crucial to seek God's presence and guidance in our lives, understanding that His gaze is ultimately for our good.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/finding_joy_in_god.htm">Finding Joy in God</a></b><br>Even in times of discipline or distress, seek to find joy and comfort in God's promises and His eternal plan for us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparing_for_eternity.htm">Preparing for Eternity</a></b><br>Use the awareness of life's brevity to prepare for eternity, focusing on spiritual growth and aligning our lives with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_39.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 39</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_structure_a_church_service.htm">How should a church service be structured?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_39_6_deny_lasting_legacies.htm">Psalm 39:6 - Does the claim that everyone is merely a 'phantom' contradict historical evidence of lasting human achievements?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_50_3__literal_fire_tempest_proof.htm">In Psalm 50:3, how can a consuming fire and tempest be taken literally if no historical account exists of such a phenomenon?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_king_saul_considered_saved.htm">Is King Saul considered saved?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/39.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">Recover strength.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">Let me become cheerful, i.e., </span>look up with a glad look once more on my face, as the angry look fades from the Divine countenance.<p><span class= "bld">Before.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">before I go, and am not. </span>All the words and phrases of this last verse occur in the Book of Job. (See <a href="/job/7-8.htm" title="The eye of him that has seen me shall see me no more: your eyes are on me, and I am not.">Job 7:8</a>; <a href="/job/7-19.htm" title="How long will you not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?">Job 7:19</a>; <a href="/job/7-21.htm" title="And why do you not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and you shall seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.">Job 7:21</a>; <a href="/job/14-6.htm" title="Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day.">Job 14:6</a>; <a href="/context/job/10-20.htm" title="Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,">Job 10:20-21</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/39.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">O</span> <span class="cmt_word">spare me, that I</span> <span class="cmt_word">may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.</span> The Psalmist, no longer anxious for death, but still expecting it, requests of God, in conclusion, a breathing-space, a short time of refreshment and rest, before he is called on to leave the earth and "be no more ;" <span class="accented">i.e.</span> bring his present state of existence to an end. Nothing is to be gathered from the expression <span class="accented">used as to</span> his expectation or non-expectation of a future life. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/39-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Turn Your gaze</span><br /><span class="heb">הָשַׁ֣ע</span> <span class="translit">(hā·ša‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8159.htm">Strong's 8159: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gaze at, about, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed, bewildered</span><br /><br /><span class="word">away from me,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמֶּ֣נִּי</span> <span class="translit">(mim·men·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that I may again be cheered</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַבְלִ֑יגָה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’aḇ·lî·ḡāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1082.htm">Strong's 1082: </a> </span><span class="str2">To break off, loose, desist, invade</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּטֶ֖רֶם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṭe·rem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> </span><span class="str2">Non-occurrence, not yet, before</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I depart</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלֵ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and am no more.”</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵינֶֽנִּי׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ê·nen·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/39-13.htm">Psalm 39:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/39-13.htm">Psalm 39:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/39-13.htm">Psalm 39:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/39-13.htm">Psalm 39:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/39-13.htm">Psalm 39:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/39-13.htm">Psalm 39:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/39-13.htm">Psalm 39:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/39-13.htm">Psalm 39:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/39-13.htm">Psalm 39:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/39-13.htm">Psalm 39:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/39-13.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 39:13 Oh spare me that I may recover (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/39-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 39:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 39:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/40-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 40:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 40:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>