Psalm 39

Psalm 39

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

¹I said, “I will be careful about how I live.

I will not sin by what I say.

I will keep my mouth closed

when sinful people are near me.”

²I was silent and kept quiet.

I didn’t even say anything good.

But the pain inside me grew worse.

³My heart was deeply troubled.

As I thought about what was happening to me,

I became even more troubled.

Then I spoke out.

⁴I said, “Lord, show me when my life will end.

Show me how many days I have left.

Tell me how short my life will be.

⁵You have given me only a few days to live.

My whole life doesn’t seem like anything to you.

No man’s life lasts any longer than a breath. Selah

⁶People are only shadows as they go here and there.

They rush around, but it doesn’t mean anything.

They pile up wealth, but they don’t know who will get it.

⁷“Lord, what can I look forward to now?

You are the only hope I have.

⁸Save me from all the wrong things I’ve done.

Don’t let foolish people make fun of me.

⁹I keep silent. I don’t open my mouth.

You are the one who has caused all of this to happen.

¹⁰Please stop beating me.

I’m about to die from the blows of your hand.

¹¹You correct and punish people for their sin.

Just as a moth eats cloth, you destroy their wealth.

No one’s life lasts any longer than a breath. Selah

¹²“Lord, hear my prayer.

Listen to my cry for help.

Pay attention to my sobbing.

I’m like a guest in your home.

I’m only a visitor, like all of my family who lived before me.

¹³Leave me alone.

Let me be full of joy again before I die.”