Psalms 39

To the director.[196] To Jeduthun.[197] A song of David.[198]

<1> I said,

"I will be careful about what I say.

I will not let my tongue cause me to sin.

I will keep my mouth closed[199] when I am around wicked people."

<2> So I didn't say anything.

I didn't even say anything good,

but I became even more upset.

<3> I was very angry,

and the more I thought about it, the angrier I became.

So I said something.

<4> Lord, tell me, what will happen to me now?

Tell me, how long will I live?

Let me know how short my life really is.

<5> You gave me only a short life.

Compared to you, my short life is nothing.

The life of every human is like

a cloud that quickly disappears.

<6> Our life is like an image in a mirror.[201]

We rush through life collecting things,

but we don't know who will get them after we die.

<7> So, Master, what hope do I have?

You are my hope!

<8> Save me from the bad things I did.

Don't let me be treated like a fool.

<9> I will not open my mouth.

I will not say anything.

You did what should have been done.

<10> But please stop punishing me.

You will destroy me if you don't stop.

<11> You punish people for doing wrong

to teach them the right way to live.

Like a moth destroys cloth,

you destroy what people love.

Yes, our lives are like a small cloud

that quickly disappears.

Selah

<12> Lord, hear my prayer!

Listen to the words I cry to you.

Look at my tears.

I am only a traveler

passing through this life with you.

Like all my ancestors,

I will live here only a short time.[202]

<13> Leave me alone[203] and let me be happy

before I am dead and gone.