LORD, Make Me to Know My End

Text: Psalm 39
30 October 2016

A PRAYER OF WISDOM

1. Necessary

2. Especially in a wicked world

GUARDING OURSELVES IN THE WORLD

1. I will guard my ways

While the wicked are with me   (Psalm 39:1)

2. With special reference to the Tongue

a) Lest I sin with my tongue
b) I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle   (Psalm 39:1)

3. Danger of over-reaction

a) Mute with silence
b) Held my peace even from good   (Psalm 39:2)
c) Sorrow was stirred up   (Psalm 39:2)
d) My heart was hot within me   (Psalm 39:3)

FEATURES OF A PRAYER OF WISDOM

1. Concerning Mortality

a) Make me to know my end   (Psalm 39:4)
b) What is the measure of my days   (Psalm 39:4)
c) That I may know how frail I am   (Psalm 39:4)

2. Understanding God’s Decree concerning Man

a) Our days as handbreadths   (Psalm 39:5)
b) Our age is nothing to the Lord   (Psalm 39:5)
c) The best state of man is but a vapour (Psalm 39:5)
d) Like a shadow   (Psalm 39:6)
i) Heaps up riches
ii) Does not know who will gather them

3. Returning to God Because it was You who did it   (Psalm 39:9)

a) My hope is in You   (Psalm 39:7)
b) Deliver me from all my transgressions   (Psalm 39:8)
c) Remove   (Psalm 39:10-11)
i) Your plague
ii) Your blow consumes me
iii) Your gaze (of anger)   (Psalm 39:13)
d) Do not be silent at my tears   (Psalm 39:12)