Previous Chapter Full Page Full Page Next Chapter

Psalm 39 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

Psa 39:1For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David.

I said to myself, “I will watch what I do
and not sin in what I say.
I will hold my tongue
when the ungodly are around me.”
Psa 39:2But as I stood there in silence—
not even speaking of good things—
the turmoil within me grew worse.
Psa 39:3The more I thought about it,
the hotter I got,
igniting a fire of words:
Psa 39:4“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
Psa 39:5You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.”
Interlude
Psa 39:6We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.
Psa 39:7And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.
Psa 39:8Rescue me from my rebellion.
Do not let fools mock me.
Psa 39:9I am silent before you; I won’t say a word,
for my punishment is from you.
Psa 39:10But please stop striking me!
I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.
Psa 39:11When you discipline us for our sins,
you consume like a moth what is precious to us.
Each of us is but a breath.
Interlude
Psa 39:12Hear my prayer, O LORD!
Listen to my cries for help!
Don’t ignore my tears.
For I am your guest—
a traveler passing through,
as my ancestors were before me.
Psa 39:13Leave me alone so I can smile again
before I am gone and exist no more.
Translation Copyright Logo

Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Full copyright information is provided here. Visit the New Living Translation website.

For more information on this translation, see the NLT Preface.