New International Version | International Standard Version |
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." | 1I told myself, "I will keep watch over my tongue to keep from sinning. I will muzzle my mouth when the wicked are around." |
2So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased; | 2I was as silent as a mute person; I said nothing, not even something good, and my distress deepened. |
3my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: | 3My heart within me became incensed; as I thought about it, the fire burned. Then I spoke out: |
4"Show me, LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. | 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. |
5You 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. | 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. Interlude |
6"Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. | 6In fact, people walk around as shadows. Surely, they busy themselves for nothing, heaping up possessions but not knowing who will get them. |
7"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. | 7How long, LORD, will I wait expectantly? I have placed my hope in you. |
8Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. | 8Deliver me from all my transgressions, and do not let fools scorn me." |
9I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. | 9I remain silent; I do not open my mouth, for you are the one who acted. |
10Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand. | 10Stop scourging me, since I have been crushed by your heavy hand. |
11When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth-- surely everyone is but a breath. | 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. Interlude |
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. | 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. |
13Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more." | 13Stop looking at me with chastisement, so I can smile again, before I depart and am no more. |
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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