> [[psalm-38|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-40|Next →]] --- # Psalm 39 ## The Vanity of Life 1 For the leader, for Jeduthun. A psalm of David. ^psalm-39-1 ### I 2 I said, “I will watch my ways, ^psalm-39-2 lest I sin with my tongue; I will keep a muzzle on my mouth.” 3 Mute and silent before the wicked, ^psalm-39-3 I refrain from good things. But my sorrow increases; 4 my heart smolders within me. ^psalm-39-4 In my sighing a fire blazes up, and I break into speech: ### II 5 LORD, let me know my end, the number of my days, ^psalm-39-5 that I may learn how frail I am. 6 To be sure, you establish the expanse of my days; ^psalm-39-6 indeed, my life is as nothing before you. Every man is but a breath. *Selah* ### III 7 Man goes about as a mere phantom; ^psalm-39-7 they hurry about, although in vain; he heaps up stores without knowing for whom. 8 And now, LORD, for what do I wait? ^psalm-39-8 You are my only hope. 9 From all my sins deliver me; ^psalm-39-9 let me not be the taunt of fools. 10 I am silent and do not open my mouth ^psalm-39-10 because you are the one who did this. 11 Take your plague away from me; ^psalm-39-11 I am ravaged by the touch of your hand. 12 You chastise man with rebukes for sin; ^psalm-39-12 like a moth you consume his treasures. Every man is but a breath. *Selah* 13 Listen to my prayer, LORD, hear my cry; ^psalm-39-13 do not be deaf to my weeping! For I am with you like a foreigner, a refugee, like my ancestors. 14 Turn your gaze from me, that I may smile ^psalm-39-14 before I depart to be no more. \* (Psalm 39) The lament of a mortally ill person who at first had resolved to remain silently submissive ([Ps 39:2] – [4]). But the grief was too much and now the psalmist laments the brevity and vanity of life ([Ps 39:5] – [7]), yet remaining hopeful ([Ps 39:8] – [10]). The psalmist continues to express both acceptance of the illness and hope for healing in [Ps 39:11] – [13]. a. (39:1) [[1-chronicles-16|1 Chr 16]]:41; [Ps 62:1]; [77:1]. b. (39:4) [Jer 20:9]. c. (39:6) [Ps 62:10]; [90:9] – [10]; [144:4]; [Jb 7:6], [16]; [14:1], [5]; [Eccl 6:12]; ([[wisdom-02|Wis 2]]:5]. d. (39:13) [Ps 119:19]; [[genesis-23|Gen 23]]:4; [Heb 11:13]; [1 Pt 2:11]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-38|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-40|Next →]]