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.

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.

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

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.

The Vanity of Life.

To the Chief Musician; for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

39 I said, “I will guard my ways
That I may not sin with my tongue;
I will muzzle my mouth
While the wicked are in my presence.”

I was mute and silent [before my enemies],
I refrained even from good,
And my [a]distress grew worse.

My heart was hot within me.
While I was musing the fire burned;
Then I spoke with my tongue:

Lord, let me know my [life’s] end
And [to appreciate] the extent of my days;
Let me know how frail I am [how transient is my stay here].

“Behold, You have made my days as [short as] hand widths,
And my lifetime is as nothing in Your sight.
Surely every man at his best is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]!(A) Selah.

“Surely every man walks around like a shadow [in a charade];
Surely they make an uproar for nothing;
Each one builds up riches, not knowing who will receive them.(B)


“And now, Lord, for what do I expectantly wait?
My hope [my confident expectation] is in You.

“Save me from all my transgressions;
Do not make me the scorn and reproach of the [self-righteous, arrogant] fool.

“I am mute, I do not open my mouth,
Because it is You who has done it.
10 
“Remove Your plague from me;
I am wasting away because of the conflict and opposition of Your hand.
11 
“With rebukes You discipline man for sin;
You consume like a moth what is precious to him;
Surely every man is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]. Selah.

12 
“Hear my prayer, O Lord, and listen to my cry;
Do not be silent at my tears;
For I am Your temporary guest,
A sojourner like all my fathers.
13 
“O look away from me, that I may smile and again know joy
Before I depart and am no more.”

Notas al pie

  1. Psalm 39:2 Lit pain.

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.”
I was (E)mute and silent;
    I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
    My (F)heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:

“O Lord, (G)make me know my end
    and what is the measure of my days;
    let me know how fleeting I am!
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
    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!

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
    (L)My hope is in you.
Deliver me from all my transgressions.
    (M)Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
(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!”

Notas al pie

  1. Psalm 39:6 Hebrew Surely as a breath

Vanidad de la vida

Para el director del coro, para Jedutún. 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».
Enmudecí y callé(D);
Guardé silencio aun acerca de lo bueno,
Y se agravó mi dolor.
Ardía mi corazón dentro de mí(E);
Mientras meditaba, se encendió el fuego;
Entonces dije con mi lengua:
«Señor, hazme saber mi fin(F),
Y cuál es la medida de mis días,
Para que yo sepa cuán efímero soy(G).
Tú has hecho mis días muy breves(H),
Y mi existencia es como nada delante de Ti(I);
Ciertamente todo hombre, aun en la plenitud de su vigor, es solo un soplo(J). (Selah)
Sí, como una sombra anda el hombre(K);
Ciertamente en vano se afana(L);
Acumula riquezas, y no sabe quién las recogerá(M).

»Y ahora, Señor, ¿qué espero?
En Ti está mi esperanza(N).
Líbrame de todas mis transgresiones(O);
No me hagas la burla de los necios(P).
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(T).
11 Con castigos reprendes 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 y ya no exista».