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I felt my heart become hot inside me
    as I thought on these things; a fire ignited and burned.
    Then I said,

“Eternal One, let me understand my end
    and how brief my earthly existence is;
    help me realize my life is fleeting.
You have determined the length of my days,
    and my life is nothing compared to You.
Even the longest life is only a breath.”

[pause][a]

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Footnotes

  1. 39:5 Literally, selah, likely a musical direction from a Hebrew root meaning “to lift up”

    my heart grew hot(A) within me.
While I meditated,(B) the fire(C) burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;(D)
    let me know how fleeting(E) my life is.(F)
You have made my days(G) a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,(H)
    even those who seem secure.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.