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.”

“To the chief musician, to Jeduthun, a psalm of David.” I said, I will guard my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, 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 in deep silence, I was quite still, even from [speaking] good; but my pain was greatly excited;

3 My mind burned as if on fire; I had to say what I was thinking:

My heart was hot within me, in my self-communing there burnt a fire: [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.

Let me know, O Lord, my end, and the measure of my days, what it is: I wish to know when I shall cease to be.

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, measured out with the span hast thou made my days; and my whole duration is nothing before thee: yea, as nothing but vanity doth every man stand here. (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.

As nothing but a shadowy image doth man walk about, yea, for vanity only do all make a noise: he heapeth up his gains, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

7 So Lord, what am I looking for? I put my hope in you.

And now, what shall I wait for, O Lord? my hope is in thee.

8 Save me from my rebellion. Don't let me be mocked by fools.

From all my transgressions deliver thou me: render me not the object of reproach of the worthless.

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 thou hadst done it.

10 Please stop hitting me! Your beating has worn me out!

Remove thou thy plague away from me: from the blows of thy hand am I consumed.

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 with corrections chastisest man for iniquity, thou causest his excellence to melt away as [if eaten by] the moth: yea, nothing but vanity is every man. (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; be not silent at my tears; for a stranger am I with thee, a sojourner, like all my fathers.

13 Please leave me alone so I can be cheerful again, before I am dead and gone.

Leave off from me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and am no more.