Psalm 39 | New International Reader’s Version

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

1 I said, ‘I will be careful about how I live. I will not sin by what I say. I will keep my mouth closed when I am near sinful people.’ 2 So I was completely silent. I didn’t even say anything good. But the pain inside me grew worse. 3 My heart was deeply troubled. As I thought about what was happening to me, I became even more troubled. Then I spoke out. 4 I said, ‘LORD, show me when my life will end. Show me how many days I have left. Tell me how short my life will be. 5 You have given me only a few days to live. My whole life doesn’t seem like anything to you. No one lasts any longer than a breath. This is true even for those who feel secure. 6 People are only shadows as they go here and there. They rush around, but it doesn’t mean anything. They pile up wealth, but they don’t know who will finally get it. 7 ‘Lord, what can I look forward to now? You are the only hope I have. 8 Save me from all the wrong things I’ve done. Don’t let foolish people make fun of me. 9 I keep silent. I don’t open my mouth. You are the one who has caused all this to happen. 10 Please stop beating me. I’m about to die from the blows of your hand. 11 You correct and punish people for their sin. Then, just as a moth eats cloth, you destroy their wealth. No one lasts any longer than a breath. 12 ‘LORD, hear my prayer. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my weeping. I’m like an outsider in your home. I’m just a stranger, like all my family who lived before me. 13 Leave me alone. Let me enjoy life again before I die.’

English Standard Version

What Is the Measure of My Days?

1 To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways, 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.” 2 I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. 3 My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: 4 “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! 5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! 6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow! 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. 8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool! 9 I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it. 10 Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand. 11 When 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! 12 “Hear my prayer, O Lord, 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. 13 Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!”

Psalm 39 | New International Reader’s Version English Standard Version

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

What Is the Measure of My Days?