Thi Thiên 39

My life is only a breath

¹For the music director. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David. ²I made up my mind: “I will be careful how I live, so that my tongue does not lead me into sin. I will keep my mouth muzzled for as long as the wicked stand before me.” ³I said nothing at all; I held my peace, even from saying good, and my pain grew sharper.^{a 4}Inside me my heart was burning; as I brooded, it flared into fire, and at last I spoke: ⁵LORD, let me know my end and how many days are measured out for me; let me understand how short-lived I am. ⁶See, you have made my days only a few hand widths long; my whole lifetime is as nothing in your sight. Every human being, however firmly they stand, is only a breath. Selah ⁷Truly, people go about like shadows; their busy noise is all for nothing; they pile things up, not knowing who will collect them. ⁸So then, Lord, what is left for me to wait for? My hope rests on you. ⁹Rescue me from all my rebellious acts; do not make me something fools laugh at. ¹⁰I stay silent and say nothing, because this is your doing. ¹¹Take your blow away from me; I am worn out by the force of your hand. ¹²You punish people for their wrongs with rebukes, and like a moth you eat away what they love most. Every human being is only a breath. Selah ¹³LORD, hear what I pray; turn your ear to my plea for help, and do not keep silent when I weep. I am only a guest with you, a foreigner passing through, just like my ancestors before me. ¹⁴Turn your gaze from me, and let me find joy again before I leave and am no longer here.