Reflections for the New Year
Christian Magazine
Psalm 39:4
LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.


I. THAT HUMAN LIFE MUST TERMINATE. The knowledge and belief that our times are in God's hand have a powerful influence in making us humble, self-denied, watchful and holy. The return of day and night, the revolution of the heavenly bodies, the beating of our hearts, the circulation of the blood, every clock in our chamber, and every watch we carry, all proclaim the affecting truth, that our days are hastening to an end.

II. THAT THE MEASURE OF OUR DAYS IS DETERMINED BY GOD. The sovereignty of the Most High is eminently discovered in the various admeasurements of human life.

III. THAT THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR END, AND OF THE MEASURE, OF OUR DAYS IS OF GREAT PRACTICAL UTILITY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. "That I may know how frail I am."

IV. THAT GOD ALONE CAN TEACH US THE END, THE MEASURE, AND THE VALUE OF THE PRESENT LIFE. "Lord, make me to know mine end," etc. This is a lesson which the wisdom of men cannot teach. We bear, we confess the general truth that all must die; but we act as if it were not true, as if it never were to be interpreted of ourselves I But when God teaches us our end, He inspires us with other views. No person can be indifferent to death and mortality when God is his teacher.

(Christian Magazine.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

WEB: "Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.




Brief Life is Here Our Portion
Top of Page
Top of Page