The Fleeting Nature of Life
For the choir director,for Jeduthun.A Davidic psalm.
1I said, “I will guard my ways
so that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle
as long as the wicked are in my presence.”a
2I was speechless and quiet;
I kept silent,even from speaking good,
and my pain intensified.b
3My heart grew hot within me;
as I mused,a fire burned.c
I spoke with my tongue:
4“LORD, reveal to me the end of my life
and the number of my days.
Let me know how short-lived I am.d
5You, indeed,have made my days short in length,
and my life span as nothing in Your sight.
Yes,every mortal man is only a vapor.e•Selah
6“Certainly,man walks about like a mere shadow.
Indeed,they frantically rush around in vain,
gathering possessions
without knowing who will get them.f
7Now,Lord,what do I wait for?
My hope is in You.g
8Deliver me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the taunt of fools.h
9I am speechless;I do not open my mouth
because of what You have done.i
10Remove Your torment from me;
I fade away because of the force of Your hand.j
11You discipline a man with punishment for sin,
consuming like a moth what is precious to him;k
every man is only a vapor.lSelah
12“Hear my prayer,LORD,
and listen to my cry for help;
do not be silent at my tears.m
For I am a foreigner residing with You,
a temporary resident like all my fathers.n
13Turn Your angry gaze from me
so that I may be cheered up
before I die and am gone.”o
Footnotes:
a.39:1 Ps 34:13; Jms 3:5-12
b.39:2 Jb 40:4; Ps 38:13
c.39:3 Ps 32:4; Jr 20:9; Lk 24:32
d.39:4 Ps 78:39; 90:12; 103:14
e.39:5 Ps 62:9; 89:47; 144:4
f.39:6 Ps 49:10; Ec 2:18-19; Lk 12:20; 1Co 7:31
g.39:7 Ps 38:15
h.39:8 Ps 44:13; 79:4; 119:22
i.39:9 Ps 39:2
j.39:10 Jb 9:34; 13:21; Ps 32:4
k.39:11 Is 50:9
l.39:11 Ps 39:5
m.39:12 Ps 35:22
n.39:12 1Ch 29:15; Heb 11:13; 1Pt 2:11
o.39:13 Jb 7:19; 10:20-21; Ps 102:24