Psalm 39 01/29/2009
 

I haven't been around much lately, and I apologize for that.  It's been a crazy week!  Lot's coming down the pipeline, though, so stay tuned!  For today, I just want to share a passage that came up in my daily readings last week and has stuck with me.  I absolutely love the language here... beautiful poetry from King David.

Psalm 39 (New Living Translation)

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 hold 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 worse.
 3 The more I thought about it,
      the hotter I got,
      igniting a fire of words:
 4 “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 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 We are merely moving shadows,
      and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
   We heap up wealth,
      not knowing who will spend it.
 7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
      My only hope is in you.
 8 Rescue me from my rebellion.
      Do not let fools mock me.
 9 I am silent before you; I won’t say a word,
      for my punishment is from you.
 10 But please stop striking me!
      I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.
 11 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, 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 Leave me alone so I can smile again
      before I am gone and exist no more.

 


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