Psalms 39

1 For the end, a Song of David, to Idithun. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I set a guard on my mouth, while the sinner stood in my presence.

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 dumb, and humbled myself, and kept silence from good [words]; and my grief was renewed.

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

3 My heart grew hot within me, and a fire would kindle in my (meditation) I spoke with my tongue,

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

4 O Lord, make me to know mine end, and the number of my days, what it is; that I may know what I lack.

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

5 Behold, you have made my days old; and my existence [is] as nothing before you: nay, every man living [is] altogether vanity. (Pause)

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 Surely man walks in a shadow; nay, he is disquieted in vain: he lays up treasures, and knows not for whom he 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 what [is] my expectation? [is it] not the Lord? and my ground [of hope] is with you. (Pause)

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

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: you have made me a reproach to the foolish.

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

9 I was dumb, and opened not my mouth; for you are he that made me.

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

10 Remove your scourges from me: I have fainted by reason of the strength of your hand.

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

11 You chasten man with rebukes for iniquity, and you make his life to consume away like a spider's web; nay, every man is disquieted in vain. (Pause)

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 O Lord, listen to my prayer and my supplication: attend to my tears: be not silent, for I am a sojourner in the land, and a stranger, as all my fathers [were].

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 Spare me, that I may be refreshed, before I depart, and be no more.

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