Psalm 39 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 39:9, 39:12
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 39
The measure of my days
Verse 39:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[39:1] For the director. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[38:1] For the end. For Jeduthun. A song of David.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The performance heading, ancient name form and psalm/song designation differ. Familiar English names are used where the referent is the same.
Verse 39:2 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[39:2] I said, “I will guard my ways from sinning with my tongue;
I will keep a muzzle upon my mouth
while the wicked person is before me.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[38:2] I said, “I will guard my ways so as not to sin with my tongue.”
I placed a guard upon my mouth
when the sinner stood against me.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew promises continued restraint with a muzzle; Greek reports having posted a guard.
Verse 39:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[39:3] I was mute in silence;
I kept quiet even from good,
and my pain was stirred up.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[38:3] I became mute and was humbled and kept silent from good things,
and my pain was renewed.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek adds humiliation and speaks of renewed pain.
Verse 39:4 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[39:4] My heart grew hot within me;
in my musing a fire burned.
I spoke with my tongue:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[38:4] My heart grew hot within me,
and in my meditation a fire will be kindled.
I spoke with my tongue:
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both depict inner reflection becoming a fire that leads to speech.
Verse 39:5 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[39:5] “Make known to me, YHWH, my end
and the measure of my days, what it is;
let me know how fleeting I am.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[38:5] “Make known to me, Lord, my limit
and the number of my days, what it is,
so that I may know what I lack.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew asks about human transience; Greek asks what the speaker lacks.
Verse 39:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[39:6] Look, You have made my days handbreadths,
and my lifespan is as nothing before You.
Surely every person standing is altogether a breath. Selah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[38:6] Look, You made my days handbreadths,
and my existence is as nothing before You.
Yet all things are vanity—every living person. Diapsalma.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The small measure and fragility of human existence agree; breath and vanity preserve the differing metaphors.
Verse 39:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[39:7] Surely a person walks about as an image;
surely they bustle for a breath.
He heaps up and does not know who will gather it.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[38:7] Indeed a person passes through as an image;
yet they are troubled in vain.
He stores treasure and does not know for whom he will gather it.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew asks who gathers the hoard; Greek for whom its owner gathers it.
Verse 39:8 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[39:8] And now, what do I wait for, Lord?
My hope is in You.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[38:8] And now, what is my expectation? Is it not the Lord?
And my existence comes from You.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek answers its own question and names existence where Hebrew names hope.
Verse 39:9 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[39:9] Deliver me from all my rebellions;
do not make me a reproach to the fool.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[38:9] Rescue me from all my lawless deeds;
You have given me as a reproach to a fool.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew asks God not to expose the speaker to reproach; Greek states that God has already done so.
Verse 39:10 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[39:10] I am mute; I will not open my mouth,
for You have acted.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[38:10] I became mute and did not open my mouth,
because You are the One who made me.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew leaves the object of God's action unexpressed; Greek explicitly identifies God as the speaker's maker.
Verse 39:11 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[39:11] Remove Your stroke from me;
from the assault of Your hand I am spent.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[38:11] Remove Your scourges from me;
from the strength of Your hand I wasted away.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew has a singular stroke and assault; Greek plural scourges and strength.
Verse 39:12 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[39:12] With rebukes for iniquity You discipline a person
and dissolve like a moth what he treasures.
Surely every person is a breath. Selah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[38:12] With rebukes for lawlessness You disciplined a person
and melted his soul like a spider.
Yet every person is troubled in vain. Diapsalma.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew pictures a moth consuming what is precious; Greek a soul melting like a spider. The concluding breath of human life becomes futile disturbance.
Verse 39:13 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[39:13] Hear my prayer, YHWH, and give ear to my cry for help;
do not remain silent at my tears.
For I am a sojourner with You,
a resident alien like all my fathers.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[38:13] Hear my prayer, Lord, and give ear to my supplication;
do not remain silent at my tears.
For I am a sojourner with You
and a temporary resident like all my fathers.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both ground the plea in tears and the human condition of sojourning.
Verse 39:14 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[39:14] Look away from me, that I may brighten again,
before I depart and am no more.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[38:14] Give me relief, that I may be refreshed,
before I depart and no longer exist.”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew asks God to avert His gaze; Greek asks directly for relief.