Deliver me from all my transgressions;
This phrase is a plea for divine intervention and forgiveness. The psalmist acknowledges personal sin and seeks God's deliverance, reflecting the biblical theme of repentance and redemption. The concept of transgressions refers to violations of God's law, highlighting the need for atonement. This plea echoes the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, where offerings were made for the atonement of sins (Leviticus 16). It also foreshadows the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ, who is seen as the fulfillment of the sacrificial system, offering forgiveness and redemption through His death and resurrection (Hebrews 9:12-14).

do not make me the reproach of fools.
Here, the psalmist requests protection from becoming a subject of scorn or ridicule by those who lack wisdom or understanding. In biblical terms, "fools" often refer to those who reject God and His commandments (Proverbs 1:7). The concern for reputation and honor is significant in the cultural context of ancient Israel, where public shame could have severe social consequences. This plea for protection from reproach is also a request for God's vindication, aligning with the broader biblical narrative where God defends and upholds the righteous (Psalm 37:5-6). The desire to avoid the reproach of fools can be seen as a call to live a life that reflects God's righteousness, ultimately pointing to the example of Jesus Christ, who, despite being mocked and scorned, remained sinless and obedient to God (1 Peter 2:23).

1. David
The author of Psalm 39, David is expressing a personal lament and plea for deliverance from sin and its consequences.

2. God
The recipient of David's prayer, God is seen as the only one capable of delivering David from his transgressions.

3. Fools
Represents those who mock or scorn, often seen as those who do not follow God's ways or understand His wisdom.Acknowledgment of Sin
Recognize the importance of acknowledging our transgressions before God, as David does, understanding that sin separates us from Him.

Dependence on God for Deliverance
Emphasize that true deliverance from sin comes only through God's intervention and grace, not through our own efforts.

Avoiding the Reproach of Fools
Understand the significance of living a life that reflects God's wisdom, avoiding the scorn and mockery of those who do not follow His ways.

Repentance and Restoration
Highlight the process of repentance as a pathway to restoration and renewed relationship with God.

Living a Testimony
Encourage believers to live in a way that testifies to God's transformative power, avoiding actions that would bring reproach from non-believers.(8) Here the psalmist recurs to his initial thought, but lets us see deeper down into his heart. It was no mere fancy that if he gave vent to his feelings the wicked might find cause for reproach; the cause was there in his own consciousness of transgression.

The reproach of the foolish.--Better, The scorn of the fool. (Comp. Psalm 22:6.)

Verse 8. - Deliver me from all my transgressions. The approach to God quickens in every God-fearing man the sense of sin and the longing for pardon. So the psalmist has no sooner thrown himself upon God as his one Hope, than the thought of his sin occurs to him - the sin which has brought upon him all his misery; and his first prayer is to be "delivered" from it. Make me not the reproach of the foolish. So long as his afflictions continued, the psalmist would be an object of scorn to the fool and the un = godly. He prays, therefore, secondly, that the punishment of his sin may cease.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Deliver me
הַצִּילֵ֑נִי (haṣ·ṣî·lê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver

from all
מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

my transgressions;
פְּשָׁעַ֥י (pə·šā·‘ay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6588: Transgression

do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

make me
תְּשִׂימֵֽנִי׃ (tə·śî·mê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

the reproach
חֶרְפַּ֥ת (ḥer·paṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2781: Contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

of fools.
נָ֝בָ֗ל (nā·ḇāl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5036: Foolish, senseless


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OT Poetry: Psalm 39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions (Psalm Ps Psa.)