my heart grew hot(A) within me.
While I meditated,(B) the fire(C) burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:

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

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

“But now, Lord, what do I look for?
    My hope is in you.(N)
Save me(O) from all my transgressions;(P)
    do not make me the scorn(Q) of fools.

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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.

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.

Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

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