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 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 dumb 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 spoke I 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.
LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may 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, you have made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before you: verily every man at his best state 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 vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches, 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 wait I for? my hope is in you.
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 dumb, I opened not my mouth; because you did it.
10 Please stop hitting me! Your beating has worn me out!
Remove your stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of your 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 you with rebukes do correct man for iniquity, you make his beauty to consume away 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 LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not your peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with you, and 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 behind, and be no more.
