Psalms 39:13

O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

Psalms 39:13 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 39 is a reflective psalm by King David. He meditates on the shortness of life and the frailty of human existence. In verse 13, David reaches the climax of his prayer, pleading with God for relief before death takes him.

Meaning

The phrase “O spare me” can also be translated “look away from me” or “cease from me.” David is not asking God to abandon him, but to stop looking at him in anger or discipline. He longs for a pause from divine chastisement so he may recover strength, both physical and spiritual, before he dies. “Before I go hence” means departing this world, and “be no more” means no longer living on earth. This is a desperate, humble cry for mercy in the face of mortality.

Biblical connections

David’s plea echoes Job 10:20, where Job also asks God to leave him alone for a little comfort before death. Both prayers show the shared human longing for respite when life is hard and short. This verse also points to the universal condition of sin and death that Christ came to address, reminding readers that only God can sustain them through life’s brevity.

Application

Like David, believers can honestly ask God for strength and relief in times of suffering. This prayer teaches that it is right to bring tears and weariness to God, trusting that He hears. It also encourages a sober view of life: days are few, so dependence on God matters now.

Reflection

David’s words invite each reader to consider their own mortality. Life is fleeting, but God offers mercy and strength to those who call on Him. The verse ends with “and be no more,” yet for the believer, death is not the final word. It is a transition into the presence of the God who hears every cry.