Psalms 39:3
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spoke I with my tongue,
American King James Version (AKJV)
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spoke I with my tongue,
American Standard Version (ASV)
My heart was hot within me; While I was musing the fire burned: Then'spake I with my tongue:
Basic English Translation (BBE)
My heart was burning in my breast; while I was deep in thought the fire was lighted; then I said with my tongue,
Webster's Revision
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then I spoke with my tongue.
World English Bible
My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned: I spoke with my tongue:
English Revised Version (ERV)
My heart was hot within me; while I was musing the fire kindled: then spake I with my tongue:
Clarke's Psalms 39:3 Bible Commentary
My heart was hot within me - A natural feeling of repressed grief.
While I was musing - What was at first a simple sensation of heat produced a flame; the fire broke out that had long been smothered. It is a metaphor taken from vegetables, which, being heaped together, begin to heat and ferment, if not scattered and exposed to the air; and will soon produce a flame, and consume themselves and every thing within their reach.
Barnes's Psalms 39:3 Bible Commentary
My heart was hot within me - My mind became more and more excited; my feelings more and more intense. The attempt to suppress my emotions only more and more enkindled them.
While I was musing the fire burned - literally, "in my meditation the fire burned." That is, while I was dwelling on the subject; while I was agitating it in my mind; while I thought about it - the flame was enkindled, and my thoughts found utterance. He was unable longer to suppress his feelings, and he gave vent to them in words. Compare Jeremiah 20:9; Job 32:18-19.
Then spake I with my tongue - That is, in the words which are recorded in this psalm. He gave vent to his pent-up feelings in the language which follows. Even though there was a feeling of murmuring and complaining, he sought relief in stating his real difficulties before God, and in seeking from him direction and support.