Psalm 39

I think God has to have a sense of humor or maybe it is just good timing..  This psalm was my reading for this morning.  ” I will curb my tongue…”  Good words for me!

Psalm 39

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

¹
    I said to myself, “I will watch what I do
        and not sin in what I say.
    I will curb my tongue
        when the ungodly are around me.”
²
    But as I stood there in silence–
        not even speaking of good things–
        the turmoil within me grew to the bursting point.
³
    My thoughts grew hot within me
        and began to burn,
        igniting a fire of words:
⁴
    “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
        Remind me that my days are numbered,
        and that my life is fleeing away.
⁵
    My life is no longer than the width of my hand.
        An entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
       

Interlude
human existence is but a breath.”

⁶
    We are merely moving shadows,
        and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
        We heap up wealth for someone else to spend.
⁷
    And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
        My only hope is in you.
⁸
    Rescue me from my rebellion,
        for even fools mock me when I rebel.
⁹
    I am silent before you; I won’t say a word.
        For my punishment is from you.
¹⁰
    Please, don’t punish me anymore!
        I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.
¹¹
    When you discipline people for their sins,
        their lives can be crushed like the life of a moth.
       

Interlude
Human existence is as frail as breath.

¹²
    Hear 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.
¹³
    Spare me so I can smile again
        before I am gone and exist no more.