David's Silent Vigil
For the director of music, for Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
David tried to say nothing while the wicked watched, and the silence made the pain worse until it burst out. What comes out is a request that his Father show him how short life is — a few inches, a breath — and relief before he goes.
39 1I said, "I will guard my ways so I won't sin with my tongue; I will keep a muzzle on my mouth while the wicked are around me." 2I was mute and silent; I kept silent even about good things, and my pain grew worse. 3My heart grew hot within me; as I thought about it, the fire burned; then I spoke: 4Show me my end, my Father, and what the measure of my days is; let me know how fleeting I am.
5Look, you have made my days just a few inches long, and my lifetime is nothing to you. Surely everyone is just a breath. 6Surely everyone goes about as a shadow; surely all their turmoil is for nothing; he heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather it. 7And now, Sovereign Father, what am I waiting for? My hope is in you. 8Deliver me from all my rebellions; do not make me the scorn of the fool. 9I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it. 10Remove your strike from me; I am consumed by the blow of your hand.
11With rebukes you discipline a person for sin; you consume like a moth what he treasures; surely everyone is a mere breath. 12Hear my prayer, my Father, and listen to my cry; do not ignore my tears; for I am only a traveler with you, a guest like all my ancestors. 13Look away from me, so I can smile again, before I depart and am no more.
