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

“O Lord, (C)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 (D)my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely (E)all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
    Surely a man (F)goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing[a] they are in turmoil;
    man (G)heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 39:6 Hebrew Surely as a breath

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