39:1 For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David. I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.”
39:2 But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased.
39:3 My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
39:4 “Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.
39:5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath. Selah
39:6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
39:7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
39:8 Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.
39:9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.
39:10 Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
39:11 You rebuke and discipline men for their sin; you consume their wealth like a moth–each man is but a breath. Selah
39:12 “Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping. For I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger, as all my fathers were.
39:13 Look away from me, that I may rejoice again before I depart and am no more.”
39:1 I said, I will keep my ways, / So that I do not sin with my tongue; / I will keep a muzzle on my mouth / When the wicked are before me.
39:2 I was dumb and silent; / I held my peace, even from good; / And my pain was stirred up.
39:3 My heart was hot within me; / While I mused, the fire burned; / I spoke with my tongue:
39:4 O Jehovah, cause me to know my end, / And the measure of my days, what it is. / May I know how transient I am.
39:5 Behold, You have made my days as mere handbreadths, / And my lifetime is as nothing before You; / Surely every man at his best is altogether vanity. Selah
39:6 Surely man goes about as a semblance; / Surely they bustle about in vain: / He heaps up riches yet knows not / Who will gather them.
39:7 And now what am I waiting for, O Lord? / My hope ? it is in You.
39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; / Do not make me the fool s reproach.
39:9 I was dumb; I did not open my mouth; / For You have done this.
39:10 Remove Your plague from me; / By the hostility of Your hand I am consumed.
39:11 With rebukes You chasten a man because of iniquity, / And cause what is desirous to him to disappear like a moth. / Surely every man is vanity. Selah
39:12 Hear my prayer, O Jehovah; / And give ear to my cry; / Do not hold Your peace at my tears. / For I am a stranger with You, / A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
39:13 Look away from me, that I may be cheerful, / Before I go away and am no more.
