So I remained utterly silent,(A)
    not even saying anything good.
But my anguish(B) increased;
    my heart grew hot(C) within me.
While I meditated,(D) the fire(E) burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;(F)
    let me know how fleeting(G) my life is.(H)
You have made my days(I) a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,(J)
    even those who seem secure.[a]

“Surely everyone goes around(K) like a mere phantom;(L)
    in vain they rush about,(M) heaping up wealth(N)
    without knowing whose it will finally be.(O)

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

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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.

I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.

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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