Tehillim 39 | Iyov and Tehillim

Psalms 36–41 form a set of psalms that parallel the themes of the Sefer Iyov, and our psalm stands out among them. In a moment of anguish and suffering, the poet tries not to sin with his tongue. Similarly, Sefer Iyov initially states, “Iyov did not sin in his speech” (Iyov 2:10). But just as Iyov eventually opens his mouth and argues with God, the poet too cannot contain himself, his restraint breaks, and he speaks. There are also striking parallels in language. The poet says, “Tell me when it will end, Lord, my end, the number of my days” (39:5), echoing Iyov’s words: “What strength do I have left to hope? And when is my end? How long do I have?” (Iyov 6:11). And in our psalm: “that I may know how fleeting (חדל) I am … Let me be, so I may smile (ואבליגה) again before I pass away (אלך) and am no more” (39:5,14), and in Iyov we read: “Are my days not numbered as it is (וחדל)? Let me be, turn away, allow me some relief (ואבליגה) before I go (אלך), never to return” (Iyov 10:20–21).

In a highly recommended shiur from Herzog’s Yemei Iyun BeTanakh, Harav Yaakov Medan points to the tragic story of King David’s life: he too, like Iyov, lost children; he too fell from greatness and was pursued by those once close to him. The similarity in life stories, and the parallel language used by Tehillim and Iyov, only serve to highlight the profound differences between their claims.

Both in Tehillim and in Iyov, the brevity of human life is cited as a reason for divine compassion. Yet the difference between them is stark: Iyov argues that God should relent, not punish, and that He should not be so exacting with a frail, miserable creature whose days are already so short. But in Tehillim, the plea is that God will help him be saved from his own sins: “Save me from all my sins” (39:9). Human life is short, and man is weak, therefore he needs help. The poet does not ask God to waive judgment, but to assist him in drawing closer.

We encourage you to explore more differences between the two books in the attached shiur.