The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New Living Translation NLT
1 For the leader. Set in the style of Y'dutun. A psalm of David: I said, "I will watch how I behave, so that I won't sin with my tongue; I will put a muzzle on my mouth whenever the wicked confront me."
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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.”
2 I was silent, said nothing, not even good; but my pain kept being stirred up.
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But as I stood there in silence— not even speaking of good things— the turmoil within me grew worse.
3 My heart grew hot within me; whenever I thought of it, the fire burned. Then, [at last,] I let my tongue speak:
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The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:
4 "Make me grasp, ADONAI, what my end must be, what it means that my days are numbered; let me know what a transient creature I am.
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“ LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days like handbreadths; for you, the length of my life is like nothing." Yes, everyone, no matter how firmly he stands, is merely a puff of wind. (Selah)
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You 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
6 Humans go about like shadows; their turmoil is all for nothing. They accumulate wealth, not knowing who will enjoy its benefits.
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We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.
7 Now, Adonai, what am I waiting for? You are my only hope.
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And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.
8 Rescue me from all my transgressions; don't make me the butt of fools.
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Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me.
9 I am silent, I keep my mouth shut, because it is you who have done it.
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I am silent before you; I won’t say a word, for my punishment is from you.
10 Stop raining blows on me; the pounding of your fist is wearing me down.
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But please stop striking me! I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.
11 With rebukes you discipline people for their guilt; like a moth, you destroy what makes them attractive; yes, everyone is merely a puff of wind. (Selah)
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When you discipline us for our sins, you consume like a moth what is precious to us. Each of us is but a breath. Interlude
12 Hear my prayer, ADONAI, listen to my cry, don't be deaf to my weeping; for with you, I am just a traveler passing through, like all my ancestors.
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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 Turn your gaze from me, so I can smile again before I depart and cease to exist.
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Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.