Psalm 39:13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more. The true mask of the Christian is in his solitary prayer. What men are before others does not say much, but it is when alone that their true character is revealed. But godly men vary much in their experiences, and here in this psalm we find many mingled feelings. I. AN AFFECTING ILLUSTRATION OF DEATH. It is a "going hence." This true of all. It is not a lonely path, but a highway open to all passengers, and along which all must go. And the traffic is continuous, uninterrupted. And the pace is swift. "Swifter than a weaver's shuttle," said Job. "The wind passeth over it and it is gone." And our going this way is certain and unavoidable. The king of terrors hath no heart nor ears! From his arrest no state of eminence can screen us; and his summons no greatness can control. The added term, "going hence," gives the idea that it is no short journey, or a near remove; but that he is going distantly, and beyond all ordinary space! And this going hence is for ever — "no more seen." Not that David believed that the soul perished. He knew the contrary. He spake of this world only. And at death we do "go hence," and are "no more seen" in the world! — whether the senator, the statesman, the teacher, the orator, the poet, the merchant. In his family, and in the church. And more especially is the text true of sinners (Psalm 37:36, 37.) II. THE AVOWED DESIRE in consequence — "O spare me," etc. .Now, our "strength" consists in — 1. Clear evidence of our state. 2. Habitual readiness. 3. A recovery of strength. III. WHEREFORE HE THUS PRAYS — 1. From natural desire. 2. Nervous feeling. 3. Spiritual decay. 4. For greater good and better service.Now, let the sinner use this prayer. The backslider. The spiritual, for themselves and others. (W. B. Williams, A. M.) Parallel Verses KJV: O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more. |
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