Psalm 39 Holman Christian Standard Bible

Psalm 39

The Fleeting Nature of Life

For the choir director, for Jeduthun. A Davidic psalm.

¹I said, “I will guard my ways
so that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle
as long as the wicked are in my presence.”^(A)
²I was speechless and quiet;
I kept silent, even from speaking good,
and my pain intensified.^(B)
³My heart grew hot within me;
as I mused, a fire burned.^(C)
I spoke with my tongue:
⁴“Lord, reveal to me the end of my life
and the number of my days.
Let me know how short-lived I am.^(D)
⁵You, indeed, have made my days short in length,
and my life span as nothing in Your sight.
Yes, every mortal man is only a vapor.^(E)Selah

⁶“Certainly, man walks about like a mere shadow.
Indeed, they frantically rush around in vain,
gathering possessions
without knowing who will get them.^(F)
⁷Now, Lord, what do I wait for?
My hope is in You.^(G)
⁸Deliver me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the taunt of fools.^(H)
⁹I am speechless; I do not open my mouth
because of what You have done.^(I)
¹⁰Remove Your torment from me;
I fade away because of the force of Your hand.^(J)
¹¹You discipline a man with punishment for sin,
consuming like a moth what is precious to him;^(K)
every man is only a vapor.^(L)Selah

¹²“Hear my prayer, Lord,
and listen to my cry for help;
do not be silent at my tears.^(M)
For I am a foreigner residing with You,
a temporary resident like all my fathers.^(N)
¹³Turn Your angry gaze from me
so that I may be cheered up
before I die and am gone.”^(O)