Psalms 39

Psalm 39

The Fleeting Nature of Life

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

¹I said, “I will guard my ways so that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are in my presence.”²

³I was speechless and quiet; I kept silent, even from speaking good, and my pain intensified.⁴

⁵My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, a fire burned. I spoke with my tongue:⁶

⁷“Lord, make me aware of my end and the number of my days so that I will know how short-lived I am.⁸

⁹In fact, you have made my days just inches long, and my life span is as nothing to you. Yes, every human being stands as only a vapor.Selah¹⁰

¹¹Yes, a person goes about like a mere shadow. Indeed, they rush around in vain, gathering possessions without knowing who will get them.¹²

¹³“Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.¹⁴

¹⁵Rescue me from all my transgressions; do not make me the taunt of fools.¹⁶

¹⁷I am speechless; I do not open my mouth because of what you have done.¹⁸

¹⁹Remove your torment from me. Because of the force of your hand I am finished.²⁰

²¹You discipline a person with punishment for iniquity, consuming like a moth what is precious to him; yes, every human being is only a vapor.Selah²²

²³“Hear my prayer, Lord, and listen to my cry for help; do not be silent at my tears. For I am here with you as an alien, a temporary resident like all my ancestors.²⁴

²⁵Turn your angry gaze from me so that I may be cheered up before I die and am gone.”²⁶