PsalmsChapter 39

Tap any verse to comment or suggest a better wording.

¹For the music leader. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
I said, "I will watch how I live,
so that I won't sin with my tongue.
I will cover my mouth like a muzzle
as long as wicked people are near." ²I kept quiet and still.
I said nothing, not even good things.
And my sorrow grew stronger. ³My heart grew hot inside me.
As I thought, the fire burned.
Then I spoke out loud: ⁴"LORD, show me my end.
Show me how many days I have.
Let me know how short my life is. ⁵You have made my days only a few inches long.
My whole life is like nothing to you.
Each person, even at his best, is only a breath. Selaha ⁶Each person walks around like a shadow.
He rushes around for nothing.
He piles up riches.
But he does not know who will carry them off. ⁷So now, Lord, what am I waiting for?
My hope is in you. ⁸Save me from all my sins.
Don't let fools make fun of me. ⁹I have gone quiet.
I do not open my mouth,
because you are the one who did this. ¹⁰Take your whip away from me.
I am dying from the blows of your hand. ¹¹You correct and punish a person for his sin.
Like a moth, you eat away what he loves.
Each person is only a puff of air. Selah ¹²LORD, hear my prayer.
Listen to my cry for help.
Don't close your ears to my tears.
For I am a foreigner living with you.
I am a stranger, like all my fathers were. ¹³Look away from me,
so I can be happy again
before I leave and am gone."