Psalm 39 | New International Version

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

1 I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.’ 2 So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased; 3 my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: 4 ‘Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. 5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.* 6 ‘Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. 7 ‘But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. 8 Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. 9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. 10 Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand. 11 When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth – surely everyone is but a breath. 12 ‘Hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were. 13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.’

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.’

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

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

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