You have made my days(A) a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,(B)
    even those who seem secure.[a]

“Surely everyone goes around(C) like a mere phantom;(D)
    in vain they rush about,(E) heaping up wealth(F)
    without knowing whose it will finally be.(G)

“But now, Lord, what do I look for?
    My hope is in you.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.

Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

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11 When you rebuke(A) and discipline(B) anyone for their sin,
    you consume(C) their wealth like a moth(D)
    surely everyone is but a breath.(E)

12 “Hear my prayer, Lord,
    listen to my cry for help;(F)
    do not be deaf(G) to my weeping.(H)
I dwell with you as a foreigner,(I)
    a stranger,(J) as all my ancestors were.(K)

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11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

12 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

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