ESV BIBLE
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Psalm


What Is the Measure of My Days?
39 To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

    I said, “I will guard my ways,
        that I may not sin with my tongue;
    I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,
        so long as the wicked are in my presence.” 2I was mute and silent;
        I held my peace to no avail,
    and my distress grew worse. 3My heart became hot within me.
    As I mused, the fire burned;
        then I spoke with my tongue: 4“O LORD, make me know my end
        and what is the measure of my days;
        let me know how fleeting I am! 5Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
        and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
    Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah 6Surely a man goes about as a shadow!
    Surely for nothing(1) they are in turmoil;
        man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! 7“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
        My hope is in you. 8Deliver me from all my transgressions.
        Do not make me the scorn of the fool! 9I am mute; I do not open my mouth,
        for it is you who have done it. 10Remove your stroke from me;
        I am spent by the hostility of your hand. 11When you discipline a man
        with rebukes for sin,
    you consume like a moth what is dear to him;
        surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah 12“Hear my prayer, O LORD,
        and give ear to my cry;
        hold not your peace at my tears!
    For I am a sojourner with you,
        a guest, like all my fathers. 13Look away from me, that I may smile again,
        before I depart and am no more!”

Psalm 39:6 - (1) 39:6 Hebrew *Surely as a breath*
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