Psalm 39
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1I told myself, "I will keep watch over my tongue to keep from sinning. I will muzzle my mouth when the wicked are around."1For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David. I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked."
2I was as silent as a mute person; I said nothing, not even something good, and my distress deepened.2So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased;
3My heart within me became incensed; as I thought about it, the fire burned. Then I spoke out:3my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
4"LORD, let me know how my life ends, and the standard by which you will measure my days, whatever it is! Then I will know how transient my life is.4"Show me, LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.
5Look, you have made my life span fit in your hand; It is nothing compared to yours. Surely every person at their best is a puff of wind. Interlude5You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.
6In fact, people walk around as shadows. Surely, they busy themselves for nothing, heaping up possessions but not knowing who will get them.6"Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.
7How long, LORD, will I wait expectantly? I have placed my hope in you.7"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
8Deliver me from all my transgressions, and do not let fools scorn me."8Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.
9I remain silent; I do not open my mouth, for you are the one who acted.9I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.
10Stop scourging me, since I have been crushed by your heavy hand.10Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
11You rebuke by chastening a man with the consequence of iniquities; you destroy what is attractive to him, as one would treat a moth. Indeed, every person is a puff of wind. Interlude11When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth-- surely everyone is but a breath.
12Hear my prayer, LORD, pay attention to my cry, and do not ignore my tears. I am an alien in your presence, a stranger just like my ancestors were.12"Hear my prayer, LORD, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
13Stop looking at me with chastisement, so I can smile again, before I depart and am no more.13Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more."
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Psalm 38
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