Psalms 39

1 To the excellent musician Ieduthun. I thought, I will take heede to my wayes, that I sinne not with my tongue: I will keepe my mouth brideled, while the wicked is in my sight.

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.”

2 I was dumme and spake nothing: I kept silece euen from good, and my sorow was more stirred.

So I was completely silent—I didn't even say anything good. But the pain inside only got worse.

3 Mine heart was hote within me, and while I was musing, the fire kindeled, and I spake with my tongue, saying,

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

4 Lord, let me know mine ende, and the measure of my dayes, what it is: let mee knowe howe long I haue to liue.

Lord, remind me. How short is my life? How long do I have? Remind me how quickly my life will pass.

5 Beholde, thou hast made my dayes as an hand breadth, and mine age as nothing in respect of thee: surely euery man in his best state is altogether vanitie. (Selah)

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)

6 Doubtlesse man walketh in a shadowe, and disquieteth himselfe in vaine: he heapeth vp riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.

Human beings are just shadows walking around. They pointlessly rush through life, trying to pile up possessions without knowing who will get them.

7 And now Lord, what wait I for? mine hope is euen in thee.

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

8 Deliuer me from all my transgressions, and make me not a rebuke vnto the foolish.

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

9 I should haue bene dumme, and not haue opened my mouth, because thou didest it.

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

10 Take thy plague away from mee: for I am consumed by the stroke of thine hand.

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

11 When thou with rebukes doest chastise man for iniquitie, thou as a mothe makest his beautie to consume: surely euery man is vanitie. (Selah)

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)

12 Heare my prayer, O Lord, and hearken vnto my cry: keepe not silence at my teares, for I am a strager with thee, and a soiourner as all my fathers.

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.

13 Stay thine anger from me, that I may recouer my strength, before I go hence and be not.

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