Psalms 39

1 I said [to myself], “I will be careful not to sin by the things that I say [MTY]. I will not say anything [to complain] while wicked people are near to me [and can hear me].”

For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I do not sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”

2 [So] I was completely silent [DOU], and I did not [even] talk about things that were good, but it was useless, because I began to suffer even more.

I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.

3 I became very anxious/worried [IDM]. As I thought [about my troubles], I became more worried. Then [finally] I said [MTY],

My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned. I spoke with my tongue:

4 “Yahweh, show/tell me how long I will live. Tell me when I will die. Tell me how many years I will live!

“LORD, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.

5 [It seems that] you have caused me to live only a short time; (my lifetime/all the time that I have lived) seems like nothing to you. The time that all we humans live is [as short as] [MET] a puff of wind.

Behold, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” (Selah)

6 Then we disappear like a shadow does. It seems that all that we do is for nothing/useless. We [sometimes] get a lot of money, but we do not know who will get it [after we die].

“Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and does not know who shall gather.

7 So now, Yahweh, if I expect [RHQ] [to receive blessings from other people], I will be disappointed. You are the [only] one from whom I confidently expect [to receive blessings].

Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

8 Save me from [being punished for] all the sins that I have committed. And do not allow foolish people to make fun of me.

Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the reproach of the foolish.

9 I did not say anything [when you punished me], because [I knew that] you were the one who caused [me to suffer].

I was mute. I did not open my mouth, because you did it.

10 But now, please stop punishing me! [If you do not do that], I am about to die because of the ways that you [SYN] have struck/afflicted me.

Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11 When you rebuke someone and punish him for the sin that he has committed, you destroy the things that (he loves/are precious to him), like moths’ [larva] destroy clothing. Our lives [disappear like] a puff of wind.

When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, you consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath.” (Selah)

12 Yahweh, listen to me while I pray; pay attention to me while I cry out to you. Help me while I am crying. I am here on the earth for only a short time, like all my ancestors.

“Hear my prayer, LORD, and give ear to my cry. Do not be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.

13 [Now] please leave me alone, [and do not punish me any more] in order that I may smile and be happy for a while before I die. [EUP, DOU]”

Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away and exist no more.”