Psalm39
The Brevity of Human Life
For the music director. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1I said, “I will guard my ways⸤that I may not sin⸥ with my tongue.I will keep a muzzle over my mouthas long as the wicked are before me.”2I was mute with silence. I was silent even from saying good things,and my pain was stirred up.3My heart grew hot inside me;in my sighing a fire burned.Then I spoke with my tongue,4“Let me know, O Yahweh, my end,and what is the measure of my days.Let me know how transient I am.”5Look, you have made my days mere handbreadths,and my lifespan as nothing next to you.Surely every person standing firm is complete vanity. Selah6Surely a man walks about as a mere ⸤shadow⸥; surely in vain they bustle about.He heaps up possessions but does not know who will gather them in.7And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?My hope is for you.8From all my transgressions deliver me;do not make me the taunt of the fool.9I am mute. I do not open my mouth,for you, yourself, have done it.10Remove from me your affliction.By the opposition of your hand I perish.11When with rebukes you chastise a man for sin,you ⸤consume⸥ like a moth his delightful things.Surely everyone is a mere vapor. Selah12Hear my prayer, O Yahweh, and listen to my cry for help;do not be deaf to my tears.For I am an alien with you,a sojourner like all my ancestors. 13Look away from me that I may be cheerful,before I depart and I am no more.Logos Bible Software