Psalms 39

1 To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked is before me.

For Jeduthun, the music director. A psalm of David. I told myself, “I will be careful in what I do, and not sin in what I say. I will keep my mouth shut when the wicked are around.”

2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

So I was completely silent—I didn't even say anything good. But the pain inside only got worse.

3 My heart burned within me; the fire was kindled in my musing: I spoke with my tongue,

My mind burned as if on fire; I had to say what I was thinking:

4 Make me to know, Jehovah, mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: I shall know how frail I am.

Lord, remind me. How short is my life? How long do I have? Remind me how quickly my life will pass.

5 Behold, thou hast made my days [as] hand-breadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before thee; verily, every man, [even] the high placed, is altogether vanity. (Selah)

Just 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)

6 Verily, man walketh in a vain show; verily they are disquieted in vain; he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them.

Human beings are just shadows walking around. They pointlessly rush through life, trying to pile up possessions without knowing who will get them.

7 And now, what wait I for, Lord? my hope is in thee.

So Lord, what am I looking for? I put my hope in you.

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the foolish.

Save me from my rebellion. Don't let me be mocked by fools.

9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; for thou hast done [it].

I will stay quiet, I won't say a word, for it's you who has done this to me.

10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thy hand.

Please stop hitting me! Your beating has worn me out!

11 When thou with rebukes dost correct a man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely, every man is vanity. (Selah)

When 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)

12 Hear my prayer, Jehovah, and give ear unto my cry; be not silent at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, a sojourner, like all my fathers.

Please 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.

13 Look away from me, and let me recover strength, before I go hence and be no more.

Please leave me alone so I can be cheerful again, before I am dead and gone.