Psalms 39:13
O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
Original Language Analysis
הָשַׁ֣ע
O spare
H8159
הָשַׁ֣ע
O spare
Strong's:
H8159
Word #:
1 of 6
to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or bewil
מִמֶּ֣נִּי
H4480
מִמֶּ֣נִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וְאַבְלִ֑יגָה
me that I may recover strength
H1082
וְאַבְלִ֑יגָה
me that I may recover strength
Strong's:
H1082
Word #:
3 of 6
to break off or loose (in a favorable or unfavorable sense), i.e., desist (from grief) or invade (with destruction)
בְּטֶ֖רֶם
H2962
בְּטֶ֖רֶם
Strong's:
H2962
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before
Cross References
Job 7:19How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?Genesis 42:36And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.Genesis 5:24And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Historical Context
Psalm 39 was written during severe illness or divine chastening, when David felt death approaching. Ancient Israelites had limited revelation about afterlife compared to New Testament believers, making death seem like total cessation of relationship with God—"Sheol" was shadowy existence, not conscious fellowship.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse model honest, almost desperate prayer rather than pious platitudes?
- What does it mean to ask God to "look away" temporarily, trusting his ultimate gaze is merciful?
- How does Christ's resurrection transform the fear of "being no more" that David expressed?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
O spare me, that I may recover strength (הָשַׁע מִמֶּנִּי וְאַבְלִיגָה, hasha' mimmenni ve-avligah)—Sha'a means gaze away, look away; balag means brighten up, be cheerful, recover. Before I go hence, and be no more (בְּטֶרֶם אֵלֵךְ וְאֵינֶנִּי, be-terem elekh ve-einenni)—Terem means before; einenni means I will be no more.
Psalm 39 wrestles with life's brevity and divine discipline. David asked, "How long do I have?" (v. 4), confessed sin (vv. 8, 11), and now pleads for momentary relief before death. This isn't a request to avoid God forever, but for temporary respite—a chance to breathe before dying. Job 7:19 and 10:20 echo this plea. It expresses raw humanity: "I'm not ready to die; grant me a moment." God honors such honesty.