Psalms 39:2

I was speechless and still; I remained silent, even from speaking good, and my sorrow was stirred.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — David speaks to God within a worship context directed by the choirmaster and Jeduthun. He records this moment immediately after vowing to guard his mouth against sin while the wicked are present.

The words — The Hebrew נֶאֱלַמְתִּי (ne'elamti) literally translates to "I was dumb," coupled with דוּמִיָּה (dumiyyah), meaning "silence." This lexical pairing marks a deliberate, total cessation of speech that extends even to withholding good words.

The thread — This enforced quiet mirrors the mute restraint described in Psalms 38:13 and the unresponsive silence of Jesus before the chief priests and elders in Matthew 27:12. It functions as a deliberate contrast to the unavoidable proclamation commanded in Acts 4:20.

Why it lands — The text requires the reader to confront the reality that self-imposed silence can intensify internal sorrow rather than prevent it. A reader must accept that restraining speech, even for righteous aims, demands waiting for God to stir the heart before words can rightly follow.

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

נֶאֱלַ֣מְתִּיne.'e.Lam.tiI was dumb ד֭וּמִיָּהDu.mi.yahsilence הֶחֱשֵׁ֣יתִיhe.che.Shei.tiI was silent מִטּ֑וֹבmi./Tovfrom/ good וּכְאֵבִ֥יu./khe.'e.V/iand/ pain/ my נֶעְכָּֽר׃ne'.Karit was stirred up

King James Version

I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

Cross-references

Matthew 27:12 And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer.
Acts 4:20 For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Psalms 38:13 But like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
Job 32:19 Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin.
Matthew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.