Psalm 39:1–13

¹I said, “I will watch my ways^p

and keep my tongue from sin;^q

I will put a muzzle on my mouth^r

while in the presence of the wicked.”

²So I remained utterly silent,^s

not even saying anything good.

But my anguish^t increased;

³my heart grew hot^u within me.

While I meditated,^v the fire^w burned;

then I spoke with my tongue:

⁴“Show me, Lord, my life’s end

and the number of my days;^x

let me know how fleeting^y my life is.^z

⁵You have made my days^a a mere handbreadth;

the span of my years is as nothing before you.

Everyone is but a breath,^b

even those who seem secure.^b

⁶“Surely everyone goes around^c like a mere phantom;^d

in vain they rush about,^e heaping up wealth^f

without knowing whose it will finally be.^g

⁷“But now, Lord, what do I look for?

My hope is in you.^h

⁸Save meⁱ from all my transgressions;^j

do not make me the scorn^k of fools.

⁹I was silent;^l I would not open my mouth,^m

for you are the one who has done this.ⁿ

¹⁰Remove your scourge from me;

I am overcome by the blow^o of your hand.^p

¹¹When you rebuke^q and discipline^r anyone for their sin,

you consume^s their wealth like a moth^t—

surely everyone is but a breath.^u

¹²“Hear my prayer, Lord,

listen to my cry for help;^v

do not be deaf^w to my weeping.^x

I dwell with you as a foreigner,^y

a stranger,^z as all my ancestors were.^a

¹³Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again

before I depart and am no more.”^b