Psalm 39:title–12

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

^*I said, “I will watch my ways^a

and keep my tongue from sin;^b

I will put a muzzle on my mouth^c

while in the presence of the wicked.”

So I remained utterly silent,^d

not even saying anything good.

But my anguish^e increased;

my heart grew hot^f within me.

While I meditated,^g the fire^h burned;

then I spoke with my tongue:

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end

and the number of my days;ⁱ

let me know how fleeting^j my life is.^k

You have made my days^l a mere handbreadth;

the span of my years is as nothing before you.

Everyone is but a breath,^m

even those who seem secure.

“Surely everyone goes aroundⁿ like a mere phantom;^o

in vain they rush about,^p heaping up wealth^q

without knowing whose it will finally be.^r

“But now, Lord, what do I look for?

My hope is in you.^s

Save me^t from all my transgressions;^u

do not make me the scorn^v of fools.

I was silent;^w I would not open my mouth,^x

for you are the one who has done this.^y

Remove your scourge from me;

I am overcome by the blow^z of your hand.^a

When you rebuke^b and discipline^c people for their sins,

you consume^d their wealth like a moth^e—

surely everyone is but a breath.^f

“Hear my prayer, Lord,

listen to my cry for help;^g

do not be deaf^h to my weeping.ⁱ

I dwell with you as a foreigner,^j

a stranger,^k as all my ancestors were.^l