Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Hear my prayer, LORD, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were. New Living Translation Hear my prayer, O LORD! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears. For I am your guest— a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me. English Standard Version “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers. Berean Standard Bible Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers. King James Bible Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. New King James Version “Hear my prayer, O LORD, And give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers were. New American Standard Bible “Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry for help; Do not be silent to my tears; For I am a stranger with You, One who lives abroad, like all my fathers. NASB 1995 “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner like all my fathers. NASB 1977 “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with Thee, A sojourner like all my fathers. Legacy Standard Bible “Hear my prayer, O Yahweh, and give ear to my cry for help; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a sojourner with You, A foreign resident like all my fathers. Amplified Bible “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and listen to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am Your temporary guest, A sojourner like all my fathers. Christian Standard Bible “Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry for help; do not be silent at my tears. For I am here with you as an alien, a temporary resident like all my ancestors. Holman Christian Standard Bible Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry for help; do not be silent at my tears. For I am a foreigner residing with You, a temporary resident like all my fathers. American Standard Version Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, and give ear unto my cry; Hold not thy peace at my tears: For I am a stranger with thee, A sojourner, as all my fathers were. Contemporary English Version "Listen, LORD, to my prayer! My eyes are flooded with tears, as I pray to you. I am merely a stranger visiting in your home as my ancestors did. English Revised Version Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, a sojourner, as all my fathers were. GOD'S WORD® Translation Listen to my prayer, O LORD. Open your ear to my cry for help. Do not be deaf to my tears, for I am a foreign resident with you, a stranger like all my ancestors. Good News Translation Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry; come to my aid when I weep. Like all my ancestors I am only your guest for a little while. International Standard Version Hear my prayer, LORD, pay attention to my cry, and do not ignore my tears. I am an alien in your presence, a stranger just like my ancestors were. NET Bible Hear my prayer, O LORD! Listen to my cry for help! Do not ignore my sobbing! For I am dependent on you, like one residing outside his native land; I am at your mercy, just as all my ancestors were. New Heart English Bible "Hear my prayer, LORD, and give ear to my cry. Do not be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were. Webster's Bible Translation Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers. World English Bible “Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHear my prayer, O YHWH, "" And give ear [to] my cry, "" Do not be silent to my tear, "" For I [am] a sojourner with You, "" A settler like all my fathers. Young's Literal Translation Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, And to my cry give ear, Unto my tear be not silent, For a sojourner I am with Thee, A settler like all my fathers. Smith's Literal Translation Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, and give ear to my cry; thou wilt not be silent at my tears, for I a sojourner with thee, a dweller, as all my fathers. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHear my prayer, O Lord, and my supplication : give ear to my tears. Be not silent : for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner as all my fathers were. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Listen to my prayer, LORD, hear my cry; do not be deaf to my weeping! For I am with you like a foreigner, a refugee, like my ancestors. New Revised Standard Version “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; do not hold your peace at my tears. For I am your passing guest, an alien, like all my forebears. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHear my prayer, O LORD; give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears; for I am a dweller with thee and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Hear my prayer and my request, LORD JEHOVAH, and give heed to my tears and do not be silent, because I am an inhabitant with you and a Pilgrim, like all my fathers. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; Keep not silence at my tears; For I am a stranger with Thee, A sojourner, as all my fathers were. Brenton Septuagint Translation O Lord, hearken to my prayer and my supplication: attend to my tears: be not silent, for I am a sojourner in the land, and a stranger, as all my fathers were. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context I Will Watch My Ways…11You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor. Selah 12Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers. 13Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more.”… Cross References Hebrews 11:13 All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. Genesis 23:4 “I am a foreigner and an outsider among you. Give me a burial site among you so that I can bury my dead.” 1 Chronicles 29:15 For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. Leviticus 25:23 The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me. Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Psalm 119:19 I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. / For we walk by faith, not by sight. / We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. John 17:16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Hebrews 13:14 For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Psalm 119:54 Your statutes are songs to me in the house of my pilgrimage. 1 Peter 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners. Genesis 47:9 “My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.” James 4:14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Job 14:1-2 “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. Treasury of Scripture Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with you, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. hold Psalm 56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? Psalm 116:3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 2 Samuel 16:12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. for I am Psalm 119:19,54 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me… Leviticus 25:23 The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. 1 Chronicles 29:15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. as all Genesis 47:9 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage. Jump to Previous Alien Attention Cry Deaf Dwell Ear Ears Fathers Foreigner Guest Hear Help Hold Little Passing Peace Prayer Short Silence Silent Sojourner Stranger Tears Time WeepingJump to Next Alien Attention Cry Deaf Dwell Ear Ears Fathers Foreigner Guest Hear Help Hold Little Passing Peace Prayer Short Silence Silent Sojourner Stranger Tears Time WeepingPsalm 39 1. David's care of his thoughts4. The consideration of the brevity and vanity of life 7. the reverence of God's judgments 10. and prayer, are his bridles of impatience Hear my prayer, O LORD, This phrase emphasizes the psalmist's direct appeal to God, highlighting the personal relationship between the believer and the divine. In the context of the Psalms, prayer is a central theme, reflecting the believer's reliance on God for guidance and support. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) signifies a covenant relationship, reminding readers of God's promises to His people throughout the Old Testament. and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of this Psalm, King David, is expressing his deep sense of transience and dependence on God. 2. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant name of God, to whom David directs his prayer, seeking divine attention and compassion. 3. Foreigner/Stranger David uses this imagery to describe his earthly existence, emphasizing the temporary nature of life and his reliance on God. 4. Fathers/Ancestors Refers to the patriarchs and previous generations who also lived as sojourners, highlighting a shared human experience. 5. Weeping/Cry for Help Represents the emotional and spiritual distress David is experiencing, seeking God's intervention. Teaching Points The Transience of LifeRecognize that life on earth is temporary, and our true citizenship is in heaven. This perspective should influence how we live and prioritize our lives. Dependence on God Like David, we should turn to God in times of distress, knowing that He hears our prayers and is compassionate towards our struggles. Heritage of Faith Embrace the legacy of faith from our spiritual ancestors, who also lived as strangers on earth, looking forward to God's promises. Emotional Honesty in Prayer David's weeping and crying out to God demonstrate the importance of being honest and vulnerable in our prayers, trusting that God cares for our deepest concerns. Living as Strangers As believers, we are called to live distinctively in the world, reflecting our heavenly citizenship and values in our daily lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 39:12?2. How does Psalm 39:12 encourage us to view our earthly life and journey? 3. What does "I am a stranger" reveal about our relationship with the world? 4. How can Psalm 39:12 deepen our understanding of God's attentive nature to prayer? 5. Which New Testament passages echo the themes found in Psalm 39:12? 6. How can acknowledging our "sojourner" status influence daily decisions and priorities? 7. What does Psalm 39:12 reveal about the transient nature of human life? 8. How does Psalm 39:12 reflect the theme of human mortality and divine eternity? 9. Why does the psalmist describe himself as a "foreigner" and "sojourner" in Psalm 39:12? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 39? 11. What does the Bible say about achieving success? 12. What does the Bible say about illegal immigration? 13. Why does Psalm 34:17-18 promise God hears and delivers the righteous but seem to conflict with other passages describing unanswered prayers? 14. What defines a godly man? What Does Psalm 39:12 Mean Hear my prayer, O LORDDavid opens with direct, confident address. • The covenant name “LORD” shows he believes God has personally bound Himself to His people (Exodus 3:15). • Scripture repeatedly affirms that God hears those who call on Him—Psalm 4:1; 17:6; 34:4. • This line models for believers today that prayer is not merely ritual; it is conversation with the living God (1 John 5:14). and give ear to my cry for help; The plea intensifies from “prayer” to “cry,” underscoring urgency. • In Psalm 18:6 David says, “In my distress I called upon the LORD… He heard my voice,” proving God answers desperate cries. • Hebrews 4:16 invites believers to “approach the throne of grace with confidence,” echoing this bold request for attentive help. • The literalness of Scripture assures us that God’s ear is not figurative indifference but real responsiveness (Psalm 116:1–2). do not be deaf to my weeping. Now David references tears, showing raw emotion God welcomes. • Psalm 56:8 describes God collecting tears in His bottle, illustrating divine compassion. • Jesus wept at Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:35), validating that sorrow can coexist with faith. • Isaiah 38:5 records God answering Hezekiah specifically because He “heard your prayer and seen your tears.” For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, David sees himself as a sojourner under God’s roof. • Leviticus 25:23 reminds Israel, “you are foreigners and sojourners with Me,” grounding David’s language. • 1 Chronicles 29:15 and Psalm 119:19 echo this sense of temporary residency. • The New Testament applies the same identity to believers—Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11—showing continuity of Scripture. a stranger like all my fathers. He places his experience within the legacy of the faithful. • Abraham confessed, “I am a foreigner and stranger among you” (Genesis 23:4), demonstrating that God’s people have always lived as pilgrims. • Jacob spoke similarly in Genesis 47:9, tying generations together in hopeful expectancy of God’s promise. • This heritage encourages today’s Christians to hold earthly life loosely while trusting God’s eternal home (Philippians 3:20). summary Psalm 39:12 shows David moving from heartfelt petition to humble perspective. He knows God truly hears, cares about tears, and welcomes His people—even while they remain strangers in a world not yet fully redeemed. Believers can pray with the same candor and confidence, assured by the unchanging faithfulness of the God who listens and leads pilgrims safely home. (12) For I am a stranger.--A reminiscence of Genesis 23:4, and adopted 1Peter 2:11 from the LXX. (See New Testament Commentary, and comp. Hebrews 11:13.) The psalmist, like the Apostle, applies Abraham's words metaphorically to this earthly pilgrim age (comp. 1Chronicles 29:15), and pathetically asks why, when the tenure of life is so uncertain, God looks angrily on him? (For the passionate appeal for a respite, comp. Job 10:20-21, and for the Hebrew conception of the under world, Psalm 6:5, Note.) . . . Verse 12. - Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears. Tears appeal to the Divine pity in an especial way. "Weep not!" said our Lord to the widow woman at Nain; and to Mary Magdalene, "Why weepest thou?" He himself offered up his supplications with strong crying and tears" (Hebrews 5:7); and so his faithful servants (Job 16:20: Psalm 6:6; Psalm 42:3; Psalm 56:8; Isaiah 16:9; Isaiah 38:3; Jeremiah 15:17; Lain. 2:11; Luke 7:38; Acts 20:19). Hezekiah's tears especially moved God to pity him (2 Kings 20:5). For I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner. "Here we have no continuing city" (Hebrews 13:14), but are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13). Hence, being so weak and dependent, we may the more confidently claim God's pity. As all my fathers were (comp. Leviticus 25:23, "The land is mine; ye are strangers and sojourners with me ").Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Hearשִֽׁמְעָ֥ה־ (šim·‘āh-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently my prayer, תְפִלָּתִ֨י ׀ (ṯə·p̄il·lā·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 8605: Intercession, supplication, a hymn O LORD, יְהוָ֡ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel and give ear הַאֲזִינָה֮ (ha·’ă·zî·nāh) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 238: To broaden out the ear, to listen to my cry for help; וְשַׁוְעָתִ֨י ׀ (wə·šaw·‘ā·ṯî) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 7775: A cry for help do not אַֽל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not be deaf תֶּ֫חֱרַ֥שׁ (te·ḥĕ·raš) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 2790: To cut in, engrave, plow, devise to אֶֽל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to my weeping. דִּמְעָתִ֗י (dim·‘ā·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 1832: Tears (of one weeping) For כִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I אָנֹכִ֣י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I am a foreigner גֵ֣ר (ḡêr) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1616: A guest, a foreigner dwelling with You, עִמָּ֑ךְ (‘im·māḵ) Preposition | second person feminine singular Strong's 5973: With, equally with a sojourner תּ֝וֹשָׁ֗ב (tō·wō·šāḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8453: Resident alien like all כְּכָל־ (kə·ḵāl-) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every my fathers. אֲבוֹתָֽי׃ (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯāy) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 1: Father Links Psalm 39:12 NIVPsalm 39:12 NLT Psalm 39:12 ESV Psalm 39:12 NASB Psalm 39:12 KJV Psalm 39:12 BibleApps.com Psalm 39:12 Biblia Paralela Psalm 39:12 Chinese Bible Psalm 39:12 French Bible Psalm 39:12 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 39:12 Hear my prayer Yahweh and give ear (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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