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39:1  For the director of music. For Jeduthun [C Levitical musician; 1 Chr. 16:41–42; 25:1, 6; 2 Chr. 5:12]. A psalm of David. I said, “I will ·be careful how I act [L guard my way] and will not sin ·by what I say [L with my tongue]. I will ·be careful what I say [L keep a muzzle on my mouth] around wicked people.”
39:2  So I kept ·very quiet [silent and still]. I didn’t even say anything good, but ·I became even more upset [L my agony/sorrow got worse].
39:3  ·I became very angry inside [L My heart grew hot within me], and as I ·thought [meditated] about it, ·my anger [L a fire] burned. So I ·spoke [L said with my tongue]:
39:4  “Lord, ·tell [inform; reveal to] me when ·the end [or my end] will come and how long ·I will live [L will be my days]. Let me know how ·long I have [L fleeting I am; 90:1–12].
39:5  You have given ·me only a short life [L my days a handbreadth; C about four inches]; my lifetime is like nothing to you. Everyone’s life is only ·a breath [vapor; Eccl. 1:2]. ·Selah [Interlude]
39:6  People are like shadows moving about. All their ·work [or wealth; or turmoil] is ·for nothing [a breath/vapor; Luke 12:13–21; James 4:3–17]; they ·collect things [accumulate riches/wealth] but don’t know who will ·get [gather] them.
39:7  “So, Lord, what ·hope do I have [do I wait for]? You are my hope.
39:8  Save me from all my ·sins [transgressions]. Don’t ·let wicked fools make fun of me [L set the scorn of fools on me].
39:9  I am quiet; I do not open my mouth, because you are the one who has done this.
39:10  ·Quit punishing me [L Turn your blows/scourge away from me]; ·your beating is about to kill me [L I am exhausted/finished from the hostility/beatings of your hand].
39:11  You correct and punish people for their sins; like a moth, you destroy what they ·love [covet; desire]. Everyone’s life is only a ·breath [vapor; Eccl. 1:2]. ·Selah [Interlude]
39:12  “Lord, hear my prayer, and listen to my cry. Do not ignore my tears. I am like a ·visitor [sojourner; wanderer; resident alien] with you. Like my ·ancestors [fathers], I’m only ·here a short time [a temporary resident].
39:13  Leave me alone so I can be happy before I leave and am no more.”