Psalms 39

1 TO THE OVERSEER. FOR JEDUTHUN. A PSALM OF DAVID. I have said, “I observe my ways, Against sinning with my tongue, I keep a curb for my mouth, While the wicked [is] before me.”

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 mute [with] silence, I kept silent from good, and my pain is excited.

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

3 My heart [is] hot within me, In my meditating the fire burns, I have spoken with my tongue.

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

4 “Cause me to know, O YHWH, my end, And the measure of my days—what it [is],” I know how frail I [am].

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 handbreadths, And my age [is] as nothing before You, Only, every man set up [is] all vanity. (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 Only, each habitually walks in an image, Only, [in] vain, they are disquieted, He heaps up and does not know who gathers 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 have I expected? O Lord, my hope—it [is] of You.

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

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions, Do not make me a reproach of the fool.

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

9 I have been mute, I do not open my mouth, Because You have done [it].

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

10 Turn aside Your stroke from off me, From the striving of Your hand I have been consumed.

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

11 With reproofs against iniquity, You have corrected man, And dissolve his desirableness as a moth, Only, every man [is] vanity. (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 Hear my prayer, O YHWH, And give ear [to] my cry, Do not be silent to my tear, For I [am] a sojourner with You, A settler like 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 Look from me, and I brighten up before I go and am not!

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