What does Psalms 39:13 mean?
"O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more." - Psalms 39:13

The Bible verse Psalms 39:13 from the King James Version (KJV) reads, "O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more." This verse is a plea for mercy and restoration from the psalmist.
The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 poetic and lyrical songs that express a wide range of emotions, from praise and thanksgiving to lament and sorrow. Psalms 39 is attributed to King David, who is often seen as the author of several of the psalms. In this particular psalm, David reflects on the brevity of life and the fleeting nature of human existence.
The verse begins with the psalmist pleading for mercy, asking God to spare him. This plea reflects the psalmist's recognition of his own mortality and his desire for God to intervene in his life. The psalmist acknowledges his own weakness and the need for divine strength to overcome the challenges he faces.
The phrase "that I may recover strength" highlights the psalmist's desire for restoration and renewal. In the midst of his struggles, he longs for the strength to endure and persevere. This can be a relatable feeling for many people, as we all encounter moments of weakness and the need for spiritual, emotional, and physical renewal.
The verse continues with the psalmist acknowledging the reality of death, stating "before I go hence, and be no more." This phrase underscores the psalmist's awareness of his own mortality and the shortness of life. It also emphasizes the urgency of his plea, as the psalmist recognizes the fleeting nature of existence and the need for immediate help from God.
The theme of mercy and restoration is central to this verse. The psalmist's plea for God's spare is a cry for compassion and deliverance from his troubles. It reflects a deep longing for God's intervention in his life, as he seeks to recover strength and find renewed purpose and meaning.
The context of this verse is important to consider within the broader narrative of the book of Psalms and the life of King David. Throughout the psalms, David expresses a wide range of emotions, from joy and gratitude to sorrow and anguish. This particular psalm reflects David's contemplation of human mortality and the brevity of life, as he grapples with the challenges and trials he faces.
The symbolism in this verse is profound, capturing the universal human experience of frailty and the need for divine intervention. The plea for mercy and restoration speaks to the fundamental human desire for hope and renewal in the face of adversity. The image of "recovering strength" symbolizes the psalmist's longing for inner fortitude and resilience, while the acknowledgement of mortality serves as a poignant reminder of life's transient nature.
In conclusion, Psalms 39:13 from the King James Version is a powerful expression of the psalmist's plea for mercy and restoration in the face of human frailty and mortality. This verse resonates with the universal human experience of seeking strength and hope in the midst of life's challenges. It serves as a poignant reminder of the need for divine intervention and the ultimate longing for renewal and purpose in the midst of life's fleeting nature.
Have questions about Psalms 39:13?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Psalms 39:13 Artwork
Psalms 39:13 - "O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more."
"O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more." - Psalms 39:13
Psalms 39:10 - "Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand."
"He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night." - Psalms 105:39
Psalms 37:39 - "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble."
Psalms 39:7 - "And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee."
Psalms 107:39 - "Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow."
Psalms 105:39 - "He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night."
Psalms 106:39 - "Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions."
Psalms 39:9 - "I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it."
Psalms 78:39 - "For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again."
Psalms 39:8 - "Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish."
Psalms 119:39 - "Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good."
Psalms 116:13 (KJV) 13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
"Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand." - Psalms 39:10
Psalms 39:2 - "I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred."
Psalms 89:39 - "Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground."
Psalms 39:3 - "My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,"
Psalms 147:13 - "For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee."
"But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble." - Psalms 37:39
"They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:" - Psalms 106:13
"They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion." - Psalms 22:13
Psalms 91:13
Psalms 103:13
Psalms 39:4 - "LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am."
Psalms 18:39 - "For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me."
"And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee." - Psalms 39:7
Psalms 39:6 - "Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them."
"Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow." - Psalms 107:39
Psalms 39:11 - "When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah."