Psalms 39:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: [then] spake I with my tongue,

Complete Jewish Bible:

My heart grew hot within me; whenever I thought of it, the fire burned. Then, [at last,] I let my tongue speak:

Berean Standard Bible:

My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:

American Standard Version:

My heart was hot within me; While I was musing the fire burned; Then spake I with my tongue:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

My heart^{H3820} was hot^{H2552} within^{H7130} me, while I was musing^{H1901} the fire^{H784} burned^{H1197}{H8799)}: then^{H227} spake^{H1696}{H8765)} I with my tongue^{H3956},

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Commentary for Psalms 39:3

Psalm 39:3 is part of a Psalm traditionally attributed to King David, though the exact authorship is not certain. This particular verse captures a moment of intense emotional turmoil. The psalmist expresses a heart that was "hot within me," indicating a state of agitation, distress, or passionate feeling. The imagery of fire burning while he was musing suggests an inner consuming that accompanies deep reflection or anguish.

In the broader context of Psalm 39, the psalmist is grappling with the brevity of life, the silence of God in the face of suffering, and the personal awareness of sin. The verse reflects the historical context of the Hebrew people, who often turned to lament and prayer in times of personal or national crisis. It is a poignant expression of the human condition, where inner struggle leads to an outpouring of words—hence, "spake I with my tongue."

The themes of Psalm 39:3 include the intensity of human emotion, the spiritual practice of introspection, and the cathartic power of prayer and confession. The verse speaks to the universal experience of feeling overwhelmed by one's thoughts and emotions, and the subsequent need to articulate those feelings, often as a means of seeking relief or understanding from God. It is a testament to the psalmist's fervent desire to communicate with the Divine, even amidst the most challenging internal conflicts.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3820
   There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵב
   Transliteration: lêb
   Pronunciation: labe
   Description: a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything; [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom.
   
2. Strong's Number: H2552
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָמַם
   Transliteration: châmam
   Pronunciation: khaw-mam'
   Description: a primitive root; to be hot (literally or figuratively); enflame self, get (have) heat, be (wax) hot, (be, wax) warm (self, at).
   
3. Strong's Number: H7130
   There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קֶרֶב
   Transliteration: qereb
   Pronunciation: keh'-reb
   Description: from קָרַב; properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition); [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1901
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָגִיג
   Transliteration: hâgîyg
   Pronunciation: haw-gheeg'
   Description: from an unused root akin to הָגָה; properly, a murmur, i.e. complaint; meditation, musing.
   
5. Strong's Number: H784
   There are 549 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼêsh
   Pronunciation: aysh
   Description: a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1197
   There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּעַר
   Transliteration: bâʻar
   Pronunciation: baw-ar'
   Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from בַּעַר; to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish; be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste.
   
7. Strong's Number: H227
   There are 113 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָז
   Transliteration: ʼâz
   Pronunciation: awz
   Description: a demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore; beginning, for, from, hitherto, now, of old, once, since, then, at which time, yet.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3956
   There are 115 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָשׁוֹן
   Transliteration: lâshôwn
   Pronunciation: law-shone'
   Description: or לָשֹׁן; also (in plural) feminine לְשֹׁנָה; from לָשַׁן; the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water); [phrase] babbler, bay, [phrase] evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge.