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Psalm 39:1-6
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!

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 39:6 Hebrew Surely as a breath
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Psalm 39:1-6
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)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 39:1 In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.
  2. Psalm 39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.
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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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