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. For Jeduthun. A Melody of David. I said, [to myself, ] I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue, —I will put on my mouth a muzzle, So long as the lawless 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, afar from happiness, But, my pain had been stirred:

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

Hot was my heart within me, While I was musing, there was kindled a fire, I spake 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 Yahweh, mine end, And the measure of my days—what it is, I would know how short-lived 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)

Lo! as hand-breadths, hast thou granted my days, and my life-time, is as nothing before thee, —Surely, a mere breath, are all men, [even] such as stand firm. (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 as a shadow, doth every man wander, Surely in vain, do they bustle about, he heapeth things up, and knoweth not who shall gather them in.

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

Now, therefore, for what have I waited, O My Lord? My hope, is, in thee.

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

From all my transgressions, rescue thou me, —The reproach of the base, oh do not make me!

9 I will stay quiet, I won't say a word, for it's you who has done this to me.

I am dumb, I cannot open my mouth, for, thou, hast done it.

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

Remove from off me thy stroke, Because of the hostility 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, by rebukes for iniquity, thou hast corrected a man, Then hast thou consumed, as a moth, all that was delightful within him, Surely, a breath, are all men. (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 Yahweh, And, unto my cry for help, give ear, At my tears, do not be silent, —For, a sojourner, am, I, with thee, A stranger, like all my fathers.

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

Look away from me that I may brighten up, Ere yet I depart and am no more.