Psalm 39

The Vanity Of Life.

To the Chief Musician; for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. 1I said, “I will guard my ways
That I may not sin with my tongue;
I will muzzle my mouth
While the wicked are in my presence.” 2I was mute and silent [before my enemies],
I refrained even from good,
And my distress grew worse. 3My heart was hot within me.
While I was musing the fire burned;
Then I spoke with my tongue: 4“LORD, let me know my [life’s] end
And [to appreciate] the extent of my days;
Let me know how frail I am [how transient is my stay here]. 5“Behold, You have made my days as [short as] hand widths,
And my lifetime is as nothing in Your sight.
Surely every man at his best is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]! Selah. 6“Surely every man walks around like a shadow [in a charade];
Surely they make an uproar for nothing;
Each one builds up riches, not knowing who will receive them. 7“And now, Lord, for what do I expectantly wait?
My hope [my confident expectation] is in You. 8“Save me from all my transgressions;
Do not make me the scorn and reproach of the [self-righteous, arrogant] fool. 9“I am mute, I do not open my mouth,
Because it is You who has done it. 10“Remove Your plague from me;
I am wasting away because of the conflict and opposition of Your hand. 11“With rebukes You discipline man for sin;
You consume like a moth what is precious to him;
Surely every man is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]. Selah. 12“Hear my prayer, O LORD, and listen to my cry;
Do not be silent at my tears;
For I am Your temporary guest,
A sojourner like all my fathers. 13“O look away from me, that I may smile and again know joy
Before I depart and am no more.”