Psalms 39
39
Psalm 39#In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1I 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.”
2So I remained utterly silent,
not even saying anything good.
But my anguish increased;
3my heart grew hot within me.
While I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4“Show me, Lord, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know 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.#39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.
6“Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
without knowing whose it will finally be.
7“But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
8Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.
9I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for you are the one who has done this.
10Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
11When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin,
you consume their wealth like a moth—
surely everyone is but a breath.
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.
13Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
before I depart and am no more.”
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Psalms 39: NIV
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The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
Psalms 39
39
For Jeduthun, the music director. A psalm of David.
1I told myself, “I will be careful in what I do, and not sin in what I say. I will keep my mouth shut#39:1. Literally, “I will keep a muzzle over my mouth.” when the wicked are around.”
2So I was completely silent—I didn't even say anything good. But the pain inside only got worse.
3My mind burned as if on fire; I had to say what I was thinking:
4Lord, remind me.#39:4. The psalmist is not actually asking for information, but protesting that he is suffering when his life is so short. How short is my life? How long do I have? Remind me how quickly my life will pass.
5Just look at the tiny amount of days you have given me! In your eyes my whole lifetime is like nothing. Our lives here are just a breath… Selah.
6Human beings are just shadows walking around. They pointlessly rush through life, trying to pile up possessions without knowing who will get them.
7So Lord, what am I looking for? I put my hope in you.
8Save me from my rebellion.#39:8. Sin is often regarded as rebellion against God. Don't let me be mocked by fools.
9I will stay quiet, I won't say a word, for it's you who has done this to me.
10Please stop hitting me! Your beating has worn me out!
11When you discipline us, reprimanding us for our sins, it's like a moth eating up what is precious to us. All of us are just a breath… Selah.
12Please hear my prayer, Lord! Listen to my cry for help! Don't be deaf to my weeping. Please treat me as your guest, passing through, just like my forefathers.
13Please leave me alone so I can be cheerful again, before I am dead and gone.
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Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com