Psalm 39
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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 said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.”
2So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased;2But as I stood there in silence— not even speaking of good things— the turmoil within me grew worse.
3my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:3The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:
4"Show me, LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.4“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting 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.5You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” 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.6We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.
7"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.7And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.
8Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.8Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me.
9I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.9I am silent before you; I won’t say a word, for my punishment is from you.
10Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.10But please stop striking me! I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.
11When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth-- surely everyone is but a breath.11When you discipline us for our sins, you consume like a moth what is precious to us. Each of us is but a breath. 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, O LORD! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears. For I am your guest— a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me.
13Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more."13Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more.
New International Version (NIV)

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Psalm 38
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