Psalms 39:1–6
I tried to remain silent to avoid sin, but my heart burned until I spoke; Lord, remind me that my life is a mere handbreadth and all my rushing about is but a shadow.
1 I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”
2 I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.
3 My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned. I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.
5 Behold, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.”
6 “Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather.
I tried to remain silent to avoid sin, but my heart burned until I spoke; Lord, remind me that my life is a mere handbreadth and all my rushing about is but a shadow.
To illustrate the impossibility of suppressing grief through mere self-will and to seek a divine perspective on the profound brevity and vanity of human life.
Numbering Fleeting Days While Hoping in the Lord
Because human life is fleeting, sinful, and unable to secure itself, the faithful must turn their guarded anguish into prayer and place their hope in the Lord alone.