What does Psalm 39:10 mean?
Continuing from the prior verses (Psalm 39:8–9), David notes that his suffering is, in part, God's discipline for his sin. The psalm began with David's frustration over wicked people (Psalm 39:1–3). His response to that angst was to ask God for humility (Psalm 39:4–7). That's especially appropriate when we know we've done wrong.The Hebrew word for "stroke" may be rendered "plague" or "sore." In Psalm 38, David described his misery under God's conviction using symbolic expressions (Psalm 38:1–3). Emotional stress can have physical effects, but it's likely the reference in this verse is also poetic. David wasn't likely experiencing a literal disease or injury. However, he recognized his experience as something sent by God as a form of discipline.
David's phrasing here speaks of God's discipline as evidence of the Lord's hostility. In the most immediate sense, this is true, in that God's rebuke was meant to afflict David. This does not mean it was a sign of God's overall rejection or hatred of David. The Lord's discipline is designed not to ruin a believer but to reprove and restore him. The book of Proverbs teaches parents to discipline children for their good, to correct their behavior. Proverbs 19:18 exhorts: "Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death." Proverbs 23:13–14 emphasizes the power of discipline by stating that it can "…save his soul from Sheol." The Lord's chastening seeks restoration, not mere punishment (Hebrews 12:3–11).
Psalm 39:8–13 closes as David repents of sin. After expressing his need for humility and perspective, David suggests that some of his current struggles are the result of his own sin. This suggests that God is disciplining David through these experiences. As observed in the first part of the psalm, life is brief. David does not want to spend what little time he has under the Lord's chastening hand. He wants to spend his days at peace with the Lord and with joy in his soul.
David chooses not to speak in the presence of certain evil people. This might have been to avoid slander, or to not speak unfairly about God. In frustration, David calls on God to adjust his perspective. He asks to be reminded of life's brevity; the Lord's infinite perspective makes our troubles seem small. David acknowledges his sin and that God has disciplined him. Even so, he places all his hope in the Lord.
