Psalm 39

What Is the Measure of My Days?

¹I said, “I will guard my ways,[#1 Kgs. 2:4; 2 Kgs. 10:31]

that I may not sin with my tongue;

I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,

so long as the wicked are in my presence.”

²I was mute and silent;[#9; Job 40:4, 5; Ps. 38:13]

I held my peace to no avail,

and my distress grew worse.

³My heart became hot within me.[#Jer. 20:9; Luke 24:32; Job 32:18, 19]

As I mused, the fire burned;

then I spoke with my tongue:

⁴“O Lord , make me know my end[#Ps. 90:12]

and what is the measure of my days;

let me know how fleeting I am!

⁵Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,

and my lifetime is as nothing before you.

Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah

⁶Surely a man goes about as a shadow![#1 Cor. 7:31; James 4:14]

Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;

man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

⁷“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?

My hope is in you.

⁸Deliver me from all my transgressions.

Do not make me the scorn of the fool!

⁹I am mute; I do not open my mouth,[#2]

for it is you who have done it.

¹⁰Remove your stroke from me;[#Job 9:34; 13:21]

I am spent by the hostility of your hand.

¹¹When you discipline a man

with rebukes for sin,

you consume like a moth what is dear to him;

surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah

¹²“Hear my prayer, O Lord ,[#Ps. 102:1]

and give ear to my cry;

hold not your peace at my tears!

For I am a sojourner with you,

a guest, like all my fathers.

¹³Look away from me, that I may smile again,[#Job 7:19]

before I depart and am no more!”