Psalm 39

1 For the choir director; for Jeduthun; a psalm by David. I said,“I will watch my ways so that I do not sin with my tongue.I will bridle my mouth while wicked people are in my presence.”2 I remained totally speechless.I kept silent, although it did me no good.While I was deep in thought, my pain grew worse.3 My heart burned like a fire flaring up within me.Then I spoke with my tongue:4 “Teach me, O Lord, about the end of my life.Teach me about the number of days I have leftso that I may know how temporary my life is.5 Indeed, you have made the length of my days only a few inches.My life span is nothing compared to yours.Certainly, everyone alive is like a whisper in the wind.Selah6 Each person who walks around is like a shadow.They are busy for no reason.They accumulate riches without knowing who will get them.”7 And now, Lord, what am I waiting for?My hope is in you!8 Rescue me from all my rebellious acts.Do not disgrace me in front of godless fools.9 I remained speechless.I did not open my mouthbecause you are the one who has done this.10 Remove the sickness you laid upon me.My life is over because you struck me with your hand.11 With stern warnings you discipline people for their crimes.Like a moth you eat away at what is dear to them.Certainly, everyone is like a whisper in the wind.Selah12 Listen to my prayer, O Lord.Open your ear to my cry for help.Do not be deaf to my tears,for I am a foreign resident with you,a stranger like all my ancestors.13 Look away from me so that I may smile againbefore I go away and am no more.

Psalm 39

For the music director, Jeduthun; a psalm of David.

1 I decided, “I will watch what I say
and make sure I do not sin with my tongue.
I will put a muzzle over my mouth
while in the presence of an evil man.”

2 I was stone silent;
I held back the urge to speak.
My frustration grew;

3 my anxiety intensified.
As I thought about it, I became impatient.
Finally I spoke these words:

4 “O Lord, help me understand my mortality
and the brevity of life!
Let me realize how quickly my life will pass!

5 Look, you make my days short-lived,
and my life span is nothing from your perspective.
Surely all people, even those who seem secure, are nothing but vapor.

6 Surely people go through life as mere ghosts.
Surely they accumulate worthless wealth
without knowing who will eventually haul it away.”

7 But now, O Lord, upon what am I relying?
You are my only hope!

8 Deliver me from all my sins of rebellion!
Do not make me the object of fools’ insults!

9 I am silent and cannot open my mouth
because of what you have done.

10 Please stop wounding me!
You have almost beaten me to death!

11 You severely discipline people for their sins;
like a moth you slowly devour their strength.
Surely all people are a mere vapor. (Selah)

12 Hear my prayer, O Lord!
Listen to my cry for help!
Do not ignore my sobbing!
For I am dependent on you, like one residing outside his native land;
I am at your mercy, just as all my ancestors were.

13 Turn your angry gaze away from me, so I can be happy
before I pass away.