< Psalms 39 >
1 To the Overseer, to Jeduthun. — A Psalm of David. I have said, 'I observe my ways, Against sinning with my tongue, I keep for my mouth a curb, 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 dumb [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 Hot [is] my heart within me, In my meditating doth the fire burn, 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 Jehovah, mine 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 Lo, handbreadths Thou hast made my days, And mine age [is] as nothing before Thee, Only, all vanity [is] every man set up. (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, in an image doth each walk habitually, Only, [in] vain, they are disquieted, He heapeth up and knoweth not who gathereth 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 Thee.
So Lord, what am I looking for? I put my hope in you.
8 From all my transgressions deliver me, A reproach of the fool make me not.
Save me from my rebellion. Don't let me be mocked by fools.
9 I have been dumb, I open not my mouth, Because Thou — Thou hast 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 from off me Thy stroke, From the striving of Thy hand I have been consumed.
Please stop hitting me! Your beating has worn me out!
11 With reproofs against iniquity, Thou hast corrected man, And dost waste as a moth his desirableness, Only, vanity [is] every man. (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 Jehovah, And [to] my cry give ear, Unto my tear be not silent, For a sojourner I [am] with Thee, 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.