Chapter 39
- What Is the Measure of My Days? 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.
- I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.
- My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue :
- O Adonai, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!
- 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!
- 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!
- And now, O Adonai, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.
- Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
- I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it.
- Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
- 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!
- Hear my prayer, O Adonai, 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.
- Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!