The Brevity of Human Life
For the music director. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
39 I said, “I will guard my ways
that I may not sin with my tongue.
I will keep a muzzle over my mouth
as long as the wicked are before me.”
2 I was mute with silence. I was silent even from saying good things,
and my pain was stirred up.
3 My 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.”
5 Look, you have made my days mere handbreadths,
and my lifespan as nothing next to you.
Surely every person standing firm is complete vanity. Selah
6 Surely 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.
7 And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is for you.
8 From all my transgressions deliver me;
do not make me the taunt of the fool.
9 I am mute. I do not open my mouth,
for you, yourself, have done it.
10 Remove from me your affliction.
By the opposition of your hand I perish.
11 When with rebukes you chastise a man for sin,
you consume like a moth his delightful things.
Surely everyone is a mere vapor. Selah
12 Hear 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.
13 Look away from me that I may be cheerful,
before I depart and I am no more.
Footnotes
- Psalm 39:1
- Psalm 39:1
- Psalm 39:1
- Psalm 39:6
- Psalm 39:11
- Psalm 39:11
- Psalm 39:11
- Psalm 39:12
- Psalm 39:12
