The Vanity of Life.
To the Chief Musician; for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1 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."
2 I was mute and silent [before my enemies],
I refrained even from good,
And my 39:2 Lit pain.distress grew worse.
3 My heart was hot within me.
While I was musing the fire burned;
Then I spoke with my tongue:
4 "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].
5 "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]! [Eccl 1:2] Selah.
6 "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. [Eccl 2:18, 19; 1 Cor 7:31; James 4:14]
7 "And now, Lord, for what do I expectantly wait?
My hope [my confident expectation] is in You.
8 "Save me from all my transgressions;
Do not make me the scorn and reproach of the [self-righteous, arrogant] fool.
9 "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."