Psalm 39
The Voice
Psalm 39
For the worship leader, Jeduthun.[a] A song of David.
As an individual lament, Psalm 39 grieves over the brevity of life. The superscription recalls David’s appointment of Jeduthun as one of the tabernacle’s leading musicians (1 Chronicles 16:41–42).
1 I promised, “I’ll be careful on life’s journey
not to sin with my words;
I’ll seal my lips
when wicked people are around.”
2 I kept my mouth shut;
I had nothing to say—not even anything good—
which came to grieve me more and more.
3 I felt my heart become hot inside me
as I thought on these things; a fire ignited and burned.
Then I said,
4 “Eternal One, let me understand my end
and how brief my earthly existence is;
help me realize my life is fleeting.
5 You have determined the length of my days,
and my life is nothing compared to You.
Even the longest life is only a breath.”
[pause][b]
6 In truth, each of us journeys through life like a shadow.
We busy ourselves accomplishing nothing, piling up assets we can never keep;
We can’t even know who will end up with those things.
7 In light of all this, Lord, what am I really waiting for?
You are my hope.
8 Keep me from all the wrong I would do;
don’t let the foolish laugh at me.
9 I am quiet; I keep my mouth closed
because this has come from You.
10 Take Your curse from me;
I can’t endure Your punishment.
11 You discipline us for our sins.
Like a moth, You consume everything we treasure;
it’s evident we are merely a breath.
[pause]
12 Hear me, O Eternal One;
listen to my pleading,
and don’t ignore my tears
Because I am estranged from You—
a wanderer like my fathers before me.
13 Look away from me so I might have a chance to recover my joy and smile again
before I lay this life down and am no more.
Footnotes
- 39:title 1 Chronicles 9:16
- 39:5 Literally, selah, likely a musical direction from a Hebrew root meaning “to lift up”
Salmos 39
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
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».
2 Enmudecí y callé(D);
Guardé silencio aun acerca de lo bueno,
Y se agravó mi dolor.
3 Ardía mi corazón dentro de mí(E);
Mientras meditaba, se encendió 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 soy(G).
5 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)
6 Sí, como una sombra anda el hombre(K);
Ciertamente en vano se afana(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 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(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)
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
Nueva Biblia de las Américas™ NBLA™ Copyright © 2005 por The Lockman Foundation
