Bible Strands
Psalms 39:11
You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor. Selah
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly while pleading for relief from a scourge that is causing his physical and spiritual decline. He speaks from a moment of acute vulnerability, framing his suffering as a period of divine correction.
The words — The Hebrew יִסַּ֬רְתָּ (yi.Sar.ta) translates literally as "you have disciplined," paired with כָּ/עָ֣שׁ (ka./'Ash) meaning "like the moth." These terms anchor the verse in God's active correction and the insect's methodical destruction of valued items.
The thread — The principle of divine correction appears in Hebrews 12:6, which states that the Lord disciplines those He loves. The moth imagery parallels Job 13:28 and Isaiah 50:9, where human decay is compared to garments consumed by moths.
Why it lands — The text declares that God corrects people for their iniquity and reduces their treasured possessions to nothing like a moth. This requires the reader to acknowledge human transience and submit to suffering as purposeful discipline rather than arbitrary punishment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.
Cross-references
- Job 13:28 So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.
- Isaiah 50:9 Surely the Lord GOD helps Me. Who is there to condemn Me? See, they will all wear out like a garment; the moths will devour them.
- Hebrews 12:6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.”
- 1 Corinthians 11:30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
- Revelation 3:19 Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
- Psalms 102:10 because of Your indignation and wrath, for You have picked me up and cast me aside.
- 1 Corinthians 5:5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.
- Job 4:19 how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who can be crushed like a moth!
- Job 30:30 My skin grows black and peels, and my bones burn with fever.
- Psalms 38:1 A Psalm of David, for remembrance. O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.