Psalm 39
The Brevity of Life.
For the music director, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1I said, “I will keep watch over my ways
So that I don’t sin with my tongue;
I will keep watch over my mouth as with a muzzle
While the wicked are in my presence.”
2I was mute and silent,
I refused to say even something good,
And my pain was stirred up.
3My heart was hot within me,
While I was musing the fire burned;
Then I spoke with my tongue:
4“Lord, let me know my end,
And what is the extent of my days;
Let me know how transient I am.
5Behold, You have made my days like hand widths,
And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight;
Certainly all mankind standing is a mere breath.
Selah
6Certainly every person walks around as a fleeting shadow;
They certainly make an uproar for nothing;
He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.
7“And now, Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in You.
8Save me from all my wrongdoings;
Don’t make me an object of reproach for the foolish.
9I have become mute, I don’t open my mouth,
Because it is You who have done it.
10Remove Your plague from me;
Because of the opposition of Your hand I am perishing.
11With rebukes You punish a person for wrongdoing;
You consume like a moth what is precious to him;
Certainly all mankind is mere breath!
Selah
12“Hear my prayer, Lord, and listen to my cry for help;
Don’t be silent to my tears;
For I am a stranger with You,
One who lives abroad, like all my fathers.
13Turn Your eyes away from me, that I may become cheerful again
Before I depart and am no more.”
