Psalm 39

Complete Jewish Bible

39 ⁽⁰⁾For the leader. Set in the style of Y’dutun. A psalm of David:

²⁽¹⁾I said, “I will watch how I behave,
so that I won’t sin with my tongue;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
whenever the wicked confront me.”

³⁽²⁾I was silent, said nothing, not even good;
but my pain kept being stirred up.
⁴⁽³⁾My heart grew hot within me;
whenever I thought of it, the fire burned.
Then, [at last,] I let my tongue speak:

⁵⁽⁴⁾“Make me grasp, Adonai, what my end must be,
what it means that my days are numbered;
let me know what a transient creature I am.
⁶⁽⁵⁾You have made my days like handbreadths;
for you, the length of my life is like nothing.”

Yes, everyone, no matter how firmly he stands,
is merely a puff of wind. (Selah)
⁷⁽⁶⁾Humans go about like shadows;
their turmoil is all for nothing.
They accumulate wealth, not knowing
who will enjoy its benefits.

⁸⁽⁷⁾Now, Adonai, what am I waiting for?
You are my only hope.
⁹⁽⁸⁾Rescue me from all my transgressions;
don’t make me the butt of fools.
¹⁰⁽⁹⁾I am silent, I keep my mouth shut,
because it is you who have done it.

¹¹⁽¹⁰⁾Stop raining blows on me;
the pounding of your fist is wearing me down.
¹²⁽¹¹⁾With rebukes you discipline people for their guilt;
like a moth, you destroy what makes them attractive;
yes, everyone is merely a puff of wind. (Selah)

¹³⁽¹²⁾Hear my prayer, Adonai, listen to my cry,
don’t be deaf to my weeping;
for with you, I am just a traveler
passing through, like all my ancestors.
¹⁴⁽¹³⁾Turn your gaze from me, so I can smile again
before I depart and cease to exist.