Psalm 39
New International Version
Psalm 39[a]
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 I said, “I will watch my ways(A)
and keep my tongue from sin;(B)
I will put a muzzle on my mouth(C)
while in the presence of the wicked.”
2 So I remained utterly silent,(D)
not even saying anything good.
But my anguish(E) increased;
3 my heart grew hot(F) within me.
While I meditated,(G) the fire(H) burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
and the number of my days;(I)
let me know how fleeting(J) my life is.(K)
5 You have made my days(L) a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,(M)
even those who seem secure.[b]
6 “Surely everyone goes around(N) like a mere phantom;(O)
in vain they rush about,(P) heaping up wealth(Q)
without knowing whose it will finally be.(R)
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.(S)
8 Save me(T) from all my transgressions;(U)
do not make me the scorn(V) of fools.
9 I was silent;(W) I would not open my mouth,(X)
for you are the one who has done this.(Y)
10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow(Z) of your hand.(AA)
11 When you rebuke(AB) and discipline(AC) anyone for their sin,
you consume(AD) their wealth like a moth(AE)—
surely everyone is but a breath.(AF)
Footnotes
- Psalm 39:1 In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.
- Psalm 39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.
Salmos 39
La Biblia de las Américas
Vanidad de la vida
Para el director del coro, para Jedutún[a]. Salmo de David.
39 Yo dije: Guardaré mis caminos(A),
para no pecar con mi lengua(B);
guardaré mi boca como con mordaza(C),
mientras el impío esté en mi presencia.
2 Enmudecí y callé[b](D);
guardé silencio aun acerca de lo bueno,
y se agravó mi dolor[c].
3 Ardía mi corazón dentro de mí(E);
mientras meditaba, se encendió[d] el fuego;
entonces dije con mi lengua:
4 Señor, hazme saber mi fin(F),
y cuál es la medida de mis días,
para que yo sepa cuán efímero[e] soy(G).
5 He aquí, tú has hecho mis días muy breves[f](H),
y mi existencia es como nada delante de ti(I);
ciertamente todo hombre, aun en la plenitud de su vigor[g], es solo un soplo[h](J). (Selah[i])
6 Sí, como una sombra[j] anda el hombre(K);
ciertamente en vano se afana[k](L);
acumula riquezas, y no sabe quién las recogerá(M).
7 Y ahora, Señor, ¿qué espero?
En ti está mi esperanza(N).
8 Líbrame de todas mis transgresiones(O);
no me hagas la burla[l] de los necios(P).
9 Mudo me he quedado(Q), no abro la boca,
porque tú eres el que ha obrado(R).
10 Quita de mí tu plaga(S);
por la dureza de tu mano estoy pereciendo[m](T).
11 Con castigos corriges al hombre por su iniquidad(U);
como la polilla, consumes lo que es más precioso para él(V);
ciertamente, todo hombre es solo un soplo(W). (Selah)
12 Escucha mi oración, oh Señor, y presta oído a mi clamor(X);
no guardes silencio ante mis lágrimas(Y);
porque extranjero soy junto a ti(Z),
peregrino, como todos mis padres(AA).
13 Aparta de mí tu mirada(AB), para poder alegrarme,
antes de que me vaya de aquí[n], y ya no exista.
Footnotes
- Salmos 39:1 Véase 1 Crón. 16:41; Sal. 62 y 77
- Salmos 39:2 Lit., Enmudecí con silencio
- Salmos 39:2 O, pesar
- Salmos 39:3 O, ardió
- Salmos 39:4 O, frágil
- Salmos 39:5 Lit., como palmos
- Salmos 39:5 Lit., cuando está firme
- Salmos 39:5 O, es completa vanidad
- Salmos 39:5 Posiblemente, Pausa, Crescendo, o Interludio
- Salmos 39:6 O, imagen
- Salmos 39:6 O, se alborota
- Salmos 39:8 O, el escarnio
- Salmos 39:10 O, me estoy consumiendo
- Salmos 39:13 I.e., antes de que muera
Psalm 39
King James Version
39 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
4 Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.
5 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.
6 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.
7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
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.
13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
Psalm 39
English Standard Version
What Is the Measure of My Days?
To the choirmaster: to (A)Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
39 I said, “I will (B)guard my ways,
that I (C)may not sin with my tongue;
I will (D)guard my mouth with a muzzle,
so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
2 I was (E)mute and silent;
I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
3 My (F)heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “O Lord, (G)make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!
5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
and (H)my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely (I)all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
6 Surely a man (J)goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing[a] they are in turmoil;
man (K)heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
(L)My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions.
(M)Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
9 (N)I am mute; I do not open my mouth,
(O)for it is you who have done it.
10 (P)Remove your stroke from me;
I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
11 When you discipline a man
with (Q)rebukes for sin,
you (R)consume like a (S)moth what is dear to him;
(T)surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah
12 (U)“Hear my prayer, O Lord,
and give ear to my cry;
hold not your peace at my tears!
For I am (V)a sojourner with you,
(W)a guest, like all my fathers.
13 (X)Look away from me, that I may smile again,
(Y)before I depart and (Z)am no more!”
Footnotes
- Psalm 39:6 Hebrew Surely as a breath
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.


