the Fourth Week of Advent
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English Standard Version
Psalms 39
What Is the Measure of My Days?
To the choirmaster: to (a)Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1 I said, "I will (b)guard my ways,
that I (c)may not sin with my tongue;
I will (d)guard my mouth with a muzzle,
so long as the wicked are in my presence."
2 I was (e)mute and silent;
I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
3 My (f)heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 "O Lord, (g)make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!
5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
and (h)my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely (i)all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
6 Surely a man (j)goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing[a] they are in turmoil;
man (k)heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
7 "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
(l)My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions.
(m)Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
9 (n)I am mute; I do not open my mouth,
(o)for it is you who have done it.
10 (p)Remove your stroke from me;
I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
11 When you discipline a man
with (q)rebukes for sin,
you (r)consume like a (s)moth what is dear to him;
(t)surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah
12 (u)"Hear my prayer, O Lord,
and give ear to my cry;
hold not your peace at my tears!
For I am (v)a sojourner with you,
(w)a guest, like all my fathers.
13 (x)Look away from me, that I may smile again,
(y)before I depart and (z)am no more!"
English Standard Version
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.