Psalm 39³³

For the music director, Jeduthun; a psalm of David
39:1 I decided,¹ “I will watch what I say,
and make sure I do not sin with my tongue.²
I will put a muzzle over my mouth,
while in the presence of an evil man.”³
39:2 I was stone silent,⁴
I held back the urge to speak.⁵
My frustration grew,⁶
39:3 my anxiety intensified.⁷
As I thought about it, I became impatient.⁸
Finally I spoke these words:⁹
39:4 “O LORD, help me understand my mortality,
and the brevity of life!¹⁰
Let me realize how quickly my life will pass!¹¹
39:5 Look, you make my days short-lived,¹²
and my lifespan is nothing from your perspective.¹³
Surely, all people, even those who seem secure, are nothing but vapor.¹⁴
39:6 Surely, people go through life as mere ghosts.¹⁵
Surely they accumulate worthless wealth,
without knowing who will eventually haul it away.”¹⁶
39:7 But now, O sovereign master, upon what am I relying?
You are my only hope!¹⁷
39:8 Deliver me from all my sins of rebellion!
Do not make me the object of fools’ insults!
39:9 I am silent and cannot open my mouth
because of what you have done.¹⁸
39:10 Please stop wounding me!¹⁹
You have almost beaten me to death!²⁰
39:11 You severely discipline people for their sins,²¹
like a moth you slowly devour their strength.²²
Surely all people are a mere vapor. (Selah)
39:12 Hear my prayer, O LORD!
Listen to my cry for help!
Do not ignore my sobbing!²³
For I am dependent on you, like one residing outside his native land,
I am at your mercy, just as all my ancestors were.²⁴
39:13 Turn your angry gaze away from me, so I can be happy
before I pass away.²⁵