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I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were. <a href="/nlt/psalms/39.htm">New Living Translation</a> Hear my prayer, O LORD! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears. For I am your guest— a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me. <a href="/esv/psalms/39.htm">English Standard Version</a> “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers. <a href="/bsb/psalms/39.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/psalms/39.htm">King James Bible</a> Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. <a href="/nkjv/psalms/39.htm">New King James Version</a> “Hear my prayer, O LORD, And give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers were. <a href="/nasb_/psalms/39.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry for help; Do not be silent to my tears; For I am a stranger with You, One who lives abroad, like all my fathers. <a href="/nasb/psalms/39.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner like all my fathers. <a href="/nasb77/psalms/39.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with Thee, A sojourner like all my fathers. <a href="/lsb/psalms/39.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “Hear my prayer, O Yahweh, and give ear to my cry for help; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a sojourner with You, A foreign resident like all my fathers. <a href="/amp/psalms/39.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and listen to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am Your temporary guest, A sojourner like all my fathers. <a href="/csb/psalms/39.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry for help; do not be silent at my tears. For I am here with you as an alien, a temporary resident like all my ancestors. <a href="/hcsb/psalms/39.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry for help; do not be silent at my tears. For I am a foreigner residing with You, a temporary resident like all my fathers. <a href="/asv/psalms/39.htm">American Standard Version</a> Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, and give ear unto my cry; Hold not thy peace at my tears: For I am a stranger with thee, A sojourner, as all my fathers were. <a href="/cev/psalms/39.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "Listen, LORD, to my prayer! My eyes are flooded with tears, as I pray to you. I am merely a stranger visiting in your home as my ancestors did. <a href="/erv/psalms/39.htm">English Revised Version</a> Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, a sojourner, as all my fathers were. <a href="/gwt/psalms/39.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Listen to my prayer, O LORD. Open your ear to my cry for help. Do not be deaf to my tears, for I am a foreign resident with you, a stranger like all my ancestors. <a href="/gnt/psalms/39.htm">Good News Translation</a> Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry; come to my aid when I weep. Like all my ancestors I am only your guest for a little while. <a href="/isv/psalms/39.htm">International Standard Version</a> Hear my prayer, LORD, pay attention to my cry, and do not ignore my tears. I am an alien in your presence, a stranger just like my ancestors were. <a href="/msb/psalms/39.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/psalms/39.htm">NET Bible</a> Hear my prayer, O LORD! Listen to my cry for help! Do not ignore my sobbing! For I am dependent on you, like one residing outside his native land; I am at your mercy, just as all my ancestors were. <a href="/nheb/psalms/39.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "Hear my prayer, LORD, and give ear to my cry. Do not be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were. <a href="/wbt/psalms/39.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. <a href="/web/psalms/39.htm">World English Bible</a> “Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/psalms/39.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Hear my prayer, O YHWH, "" And give ear [to] my cry, "" Do not be silent to my tear, "" For I [am] a sojourner with You, "" A settler like all my fathers. <a href="/ylt/psalms/39.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, And to my cry give ear, Unto my tear be not silent, For a sojourner I am with Thee, A settler like all my fathers. <a href="/slt/psalms/39.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, and give ear to my cry; thou wilt not be silent at my tears, for I a sojourner with thee, a dweller, as all my fathers.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/psalms/39.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Hear my prayer, O Lord, and my supplication : give ear to my tears. Be not silent : for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner as all my fathers were. <a href="/cpdv/psalms/39.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 38:13>O Lord, heed my prayer and my supplication. Pay attention to my tears. Do not be silent. For I am a newcomer with you, and a sojourner, just as all my fathers were. <a href="/nabre/psalms/39.htm">New American Bible</a> Listen to my prayer, LORD, hear my cry; do not be deaf to my weeping! For I am with you like a foreigner, a refugee, like my ancestors. <a href="/nrsvce/psalms/39.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; do not hold your peace at my tears. For I am your passing guest, an alien, like all my forebears.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/psalms/39.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears; for I am a dweller with thee and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. <a href="/hpbt/psalms/39.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Hear my prayer and my request, LORD JEHOVAH, and give heed to my tears and do not be silent, because I am an inhabitant with you and a Pilgrim, like all my fathers.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/psalms/39.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; Keep not silence at my tears; For I am a stranger with Thee, A sojourner, as all my fathers were. <a href="/sep/psalms/39.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> O Lord, hearken to my prayer and my supplication: attend to my tears: be not silent, for I am a sojourner in the land, and a stranger, as all my fathers were. <a href="/parallel/psalms/39-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=4646" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/psalms/39.htm">I Will Watch My Ways</a> …11You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor. Selah 12<a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šim·‘āh- (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">Hear</a> <a href="/hebrew/8605.htm" title="8605: ṯə·p̄il·lā·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Prayer. From palal; intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn.">my prayer,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">O LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/238.htm" title="238: ha·’ă·zî·nāh (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- A primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a denominative from 'ozen; to broaden out the ear, i.e. to listen.">and give ear</a> <a href="/hebrew/7775.htm" title="7775: wə·šaw·‘ā·ṯî (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- A cry for help. Feminine of sheva'; a hallooing.">to my cry for help;</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2790.htm" title="2790: te·ḥĕ·raš (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To cut in, engrave, plow, devise.">be deaf</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1832.htm" title="1832: dim·‘ā·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Tears (of one weeping). Feminine of dema'; weeping.">my weeping.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/1616.htm" title="1616: ḡêr (N-ms) -- A sojourner. Or geyr; from guwr; properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner.">am a foreigner</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·māḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">dwelling with You,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8453.htm" title="8453: tō·wō·šāḇ (N-ms) -- A sojourner. ">a stranger</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kə·ḵāl- (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">like all</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·w·ṯāy (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">my fathers.</a> 13Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm">Hebrews 11:13</a> 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. <a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">1 Peter 2:11</a> Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. <a href="/genesis/23-4.htm">Genesis 23:4</a> “I am a foreigner and an outsider among you. Give me a burial site among you so that I can bury my dead.” <a href="/1_chronicles/29-15.htm">1 Chronicles 29:15</a> For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. <a href="/leviticus/25-23.htm">Leviticus 25:23</a> The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me. <a href="/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20</a> But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/psalms/119-19.htm">Psalm 119:19</a> I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-6.htm">2 Corinthians 5:6-8</a> Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. / For we walk by faith, not by sight. / We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. <a href="/john/17-16.htm">John 17:16</a> They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. <a href="/hebrews/13-14.htm">Hebrews 13:14</a> For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. <a href="/psalms/119-54.htm">Psalm 119:54</a> Your statutes are songs to me in the house of my pilgrimage. <a href="/1_peter/1-17.htm">1 Peter 1:17</a> Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners. <a href="/genesis/47-9.htm">Genesis 47:9</a> “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.” <a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a> 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. <a href="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1-2</a> “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with you, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.hold<a href="/psalms/56-8.htm">Psalm 56:8</a> Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?<a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3</a> The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.<a href="/2_samuel/16-12.htm">2 Samuel 16:12</a> It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.for I am<a href="/psalms/119-19.htm">Psalm 119:19,54</a> I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me… <a href="/leviticus/25-23.htm">Leviticus 25:23</a> The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.<a href="/1_chronicles/29-15.htm">1 Chronicles 29:15</a> For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.as all<a href="/genesis/47-9.htm">Genesis 47:9</a> And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/31-32.htm">Alien</a> <a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/psalms/38-8.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/psalms/38-13.htm">Deaf</a> <a href="/psalms/37-29.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/psalms/34-4.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/psalms/38-14.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/psalms/22-4.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/job/31-32.htm">Foreigner</a> <a href="/esther/5-12.htm">Guest</a> <a href="/psalms/38-16.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/psalms/38-22.htm">Help</a> <a href="/psalms/35-2.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/psalms/37-16.htm">Little</a> <a href="/psalms/17-7.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/psalms/39-2.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/psalms/35-13.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/psalms/37-10.htm">Short</a> <a href="/psalms/39-2.htm">Silence</a> <a href="/psalms/39-9.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/job/31-32.htm">Sojourner</a> <a href="/psalms/18-45.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/psalms/6-6.htm">Tears</a> <a href="/psalms/37-39.htm">Time</a> <a href="/psalms/38-6.htm">Weeping</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/69-8.htm">Alien</a> <a href="/psalms/45-10.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/psalms/40-1.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/psalms/58-4.htm">Deaf</a> <a href="/psalms/43-3.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/psalms/44-1.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/psalms/69-8.htm">Foreigner</a> <a href="/psalms/94-6.htm">Guest</a> <a href="/psalms/45-10.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/psalms/40-10.htm">Help</a> <a href="/psalms/40-12.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/psalms/65-12.htm">Little</a> <a href="/psalms/78-39.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/psalms/46-10.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/psalms/42-8.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/psalms/89-45.htm">Short</a> <a href="/psalms/50-3.htm">Silence</a> <a href="/psalms/50-3.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/psalms/94-6.htm">Sojourner</a> <a href="/psalms/69-8.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/psalms/42-3.htm">Tears</a> <a href="/psalms/41-1.htm">Time</a> <a href="/psalms/69-10.htm">Weeping</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 39</div>1. <a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">David's care of his thoughts</a> 4. <a href="/psalms/39-4.htm">The consideration of the brevity and vanity of life</a> 7. <a href="/psalms/39-7.htm">the reverence of God's judgments</a> 10. <a href="/psalms/39-10.htm">and prayer, are his bridles of impatience</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Hear my prayer, O LORD, This phrase emphasizes the psalmist's direct appeal to God, highlighting the personal relationship between the believer and the divine. In the context of the Psalms, prayer is a central theme, reflecting the believer's reliance on God for guidance and support. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) signifies a covenant relationship, reminding readers of God's promises to His people throughout the Old Testament.and give ear to my cry for help; The psalmist's plea for God to listen underscores a sense of urgency and desperation. This reflects the human condition of seeking divine intervention in times of distress. The phrase "cry for help" is often associated with lament, a common genre in the Psalms, where the faithful express their troubles and seek God's deliverance.do not be deaf to my weeping. Weeping signifies deep sorrow and vulnerability. In biblical times, public expressions of grief were common, and tears were seen as a powerful form of communication with God. This plea for God not to be "deaf" suggests a fear of divine silence, a theme echoed in other scriptures such as <a href="/psalms/22-2.htm">Psalm 22:2</a>, where the psalmist feels forsaken.For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, The imagery of being a "foreigner" reflects the transient nature of human life and the believer's status as a sojourner on earth. This aligns with the biblical narrative of the Israelites, who were often foreigners in foreign lands, and it echoes the New Testament concept of Christians as "aliens and strangers" in the world (<a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">1 Peter 2:11</a>).a stranger like all my fathers. This phrase connects the psalmist's experience to the patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who lived as strangers in the land of Canaan. It highlights the continuity of faith across generations and the shared experience of living in anticipation of God's promises. This also points to the typology of Jesus Christ, who, though divine, lived as a humble stranger on earth, fulfilling the role of the ultimate sojourner.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The author of this Psalm, King David, is expressing his deep sense of transience and dependence on God. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant name of God, to whom David directs his prayer, seeking divine attention and compassion. 3. <a href="/topical/f/foreigner/stranger.htm">Foreigner/Stranger</a> David uses this imagery to describe his earthly existence, emphasizing the temporary nature of life and his reliance on God. 4. <a href="/topical/f/fathers/ancestors.htm">Fathers/Ancestors</a> Refers to the patriarchs and previous generations who also lived as sojourners, highlighting a shared human experience. 5. <a href="/topical/w/weeping/cry_for_help.htm">Weeping/Cry for Help</a> Represents the emotional and spiritual distress David is experiencing, seeking God's intervention.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_transience_of_life.htm">The Transience of Life</a> Recognize that life on earth is temporary, and our true citizenship is in heaven. This perspective should influence how we live and prioritize our lives. <a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a> Like David, we should turn to God in times of distress, knowing that He hears our prayers and is compassionate towards our struggles. <a href="/topical/h/heritage_of_faith.htm">Heritage of Faith</a> Embrace the legacy of faith from our spiritual ancestors, who also lived as strangers on earth, looking forward to God's promises. <a href="/topical/e/emotional_honesty_in_prayer.htm">Emotional Honesty in Prayer</a> David's weeping and crying out to God demonstrate the importance of being honest and vulnerable in our prayers, trusting that God cares for our deepest concerns. <a href="/topical/l/living_as_strangers.htm">Living as Strangers</a> As believers, we are called to live distinctively in the world, reflecting our heavenly citizenship and values in our daily lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_39.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 39</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_success.htm">What does the Bible say about achieving success?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_illegal_immigration.htm">What does the Bible say about illegal immigration?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_some_prayers_go_unanswered.htm">Why does Psalm 34:17-18 promise God hears and delivers the righteous but seem to conflict with other passages describing unanswered prayers?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_godly_man.htm">What defines a godly man?</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>(12) For I am a stranger.--A reminiscence of <a href="/genesis/23-4.htm" title="I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a burial plot with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.">Genesis 23:4</a>, and adopted <a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm" title="Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;">1Peter 2:11</a> from the LXX. (See New Testament Commentary, and comp. <a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm" title="These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.">Hebrews 11:13</a>.) The psalmist, like the Apostle, applies Abraham's words metaphorically to this earthly pilgrim age (comp. <a href="/1_chronicles/29-15.htm" title="For we are strangers before you, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.">1Chronicles 29:15</a>), and pathetically asks why, when the tenure of life is so uncertain, God looks angrily on him? (For the passionate appeal for a respite, comp. <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>, and for the Hebrew conception of the under world, <a href="/psalms/6-5.htm" title="For in death there is no remembrance of you: in the grave who shall give you thanks?">Psalm 6:5</a>, Note.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/39.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears. Tears appeal to the Divine pity in an especial way. "Weep not!" said our Lord to the widow woman at Nain; and to Mary Magdalene, "Why weepest thou?" He himself offered up his supplications with strong crying and tears" (<a href="/hebrews/5-7.htm">Hebrews 5:7</a>); and so his faithful servants (<a href="/job/16-20.htm">Job 16:20</a>: <a href="/psalms/6-6.htm">Psalm 6:6</a>; <a href="/psalms/42-3.htm">Psalm 42:3</a>; <a href="/psalms/56-8.htm">Psalm 56:8</a>; <a href="/isaiah/16-9.htm">Isaiah 16:9</a>; <a href="/isaiah/38-3.htm">Isaiah 38:3</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/15-17.htm">Jeremiah 15:17</a>; Lain. 2:11; <a href="/luke/7-38.htm">Luke 7:38</a>; <a href="/acts/20-19.htm">Acts 20:19</a>). Hezekiah's tears especially moved God to pity him (<a href="/2_kings/20-5.htm">2 Kings 20:5</a>). For I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner. "Here we have no continuing city" (<a href="/hebrews/13-14.htm">Hebrews 13:14</a>), but are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (<a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm">Hebrews 11:13</a>). Hence, being so weak and dependent, we may the more confidently claim God's pity. As all my fathers were (comp. <a href="/leviticus/25-23.htm">Leviticus 25:23</a>, "The land is mine; ye are strangers and sojourners with me "). <a href="/commentaries/psalms/39-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Hear שִֽׁמְעָ֥ה־ (šim·‘āh-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently my prayer, תְפִלָּתִ֨י ׀ (ṯə·p̄il·lā·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8605.htm">Strong's 8605: </a> Intercession, supplication, a hymn O LORD, יְהוָ֡ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel and give ear הַאֲזִינָה֮ (ha·’ă·zî·nāh) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_238.htm">Strong's 238: </a> To broaden out the ear, to listen to my cry for help; וְשַׁוְעָתִ֨י ׀ (wə·šaw·‘ā·ṯî) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7775.htm">Strong's 7775: </a> A cry for help do not אַֽל־ (’al-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> Not be deaf תֶּ֫חֱרַ֥שׁ (te·ḥĕ·raš) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2790.htm">Strong's 2790: </a> To cut in, engrave, plow, devise to אֶֽל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to my weeping. דִּמְעָתִ֗י (dim·‘ā·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1832.htm">Strong's 1832: </a> Tears (of one weeping) For כִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction I אָנֹכִ֣י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> I am a foreigner גֵ֣ר (ḡêr) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1616.htm">Strong's 1616: </a> A guest, a foreigner dwelling with You, עִמָּ֑ךְ (‘im·māḵ) Preposition | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> With, equally with a sojourner תּ֝וֹשָׁ֗ב (tō·wō·šāḇ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8453.htm">Strong's 8453: </a> Resident alien like all כְּכָל־ (kə·ḵāl-) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every my fathers. אֲבוֹתָֽי׃ (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯāy) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/39-12.htm">Psalm 39:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/psalms/39-12.htm">Psalm 39:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/psalms/39-12.htm">Psalm 39:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/psalms/39-12.htm">Psalm 39:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/psalms/39-12.htm">Psalm 39:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/39-12.htm">Psalm 39:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/39-12.htm">Psalm 39:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/39-12.htm">Psalm 39:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/39-12.htm">Psalm 39:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/psalms/39-12.htm">Psalm 39:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/psalms/39-12.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 39:12 Hear my prayer Yahweh and give ear (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/39-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 39:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 39:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/39-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 39:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 39:13" /></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>