Psalm 39

Psalm 39

For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 I said to myself, “I will watch what I do
and not sin in what I say.
I will hold my tongue
when the ungodly are around me.”2 But as I stood there in silence—
not even speaking of good things—
the turmoil within me grew worse.3 The more I thought about it,
the hotter I got,
igniting a fire of words:4 “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.”
Interlude6 We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.8 Rescue me from my rebellion.
Do not let fools mock me.9 I am silent before you; I won’t say a word,
for my punishment is from you.10 But please stop striking me!
I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.11 When you discipline us for our sins,
you consume like a moth what is precious to us.
Each of us is but a breath.
Interlude12 Hear my prayer, O LORD!
Listen to my cries for help!
Don’t ignore my tears.
For I am your guest—
a traveler passing through,
as my ancestors were before me.13 Leave me alone so I can smile again
before I am gone and exist 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.