Psalms 39
1 For Jeduthun, the music director. A psalm of David. I told myself, “I will be careful in what I do, and not sin in what I say. I will keep my mouth shut when the wicked are around.”
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked man is before me.
2 So I was completely silent—I didn't even say anything good. But the pain inside only got worse.
I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good, and my sorrow was stirred.
3 My mind burned as if on fire; I had to say what I was thinking:
My heart was hot within me. While I was musing the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:
4 Lord, remind me. How short is my life? How long do I have? Remind me how quickly my life will pass.
Jehovah, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is. Let me know how frail I am.
5 Just look at the tiny amount of days you have given me! In your eyes my whole lifetime is like nothing. Our lives here are just a breath… (Selah)
Behold, thou have made my days as handbreadths, and my life-time is as nothing before thee. Surely every man at his best condition is altogether vanity. (Selah)
6 Human beings are just shadows walking around. They pointlessly rush through life, trying to pile up possessions without knowing who will get them.
Surely every man walks in a shadow. Surely they are disquieted in vain. He heaps up, and knows not who shall gather them.
7 So Lord, what am I looking for? I put my hope in you.
And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in thee.
8 Save me from my rebellion. Don't let me be mocked by fools.
Deliver me from all my transgressions. Make me not the reproach of the foolish.
9 I will stay quiet, I won't say a word, for it's you who has done this to me.
I was mute. I opened not my mouth, because thou did it.
10 Please stop hitting me! Your beating has worn me out!
Remove thy stroke away from me. I am consumed by the blow of thy hand.
11 When you discipline us, reprimanding us for our sins, it's like a moth eating up what is precious to us. All of us are just a breath… (Selah)
When thou have corrected man with rebukes for iniquity, thou make his beauty to disintegrate like a moth. Surely every man is vanity. (Selah)
12 Please hear my prayer, Lord! Listen to my cry for help! Don't be deaf to my weeping. Please treat me as your guest, passing through, just like my forefathers.
Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, and give ear to my cry. Keep not silent at my tears, for I am a stranger with thee, a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13 Please leave me alone so I can be cheerful again, before I am dead and gone.
O spare me, that I may recover strength before I go from here, and be no more.
