Psalm 39 - Mere Breath

Surely all mankind is a mere breath.

This was, for me, a song without a home.

I made four albums of Psalms; Ascending (Psalms 120-134), Pure Words (Psalms 1-16), Songs From The 40’s, 50’s, & 60’s (selections from Psalm 42-69), and Highways To Zion (Psalms 73-88). All of these are available at my website. But this one did not have enough songs around it to warrant putting it on an album. It has sat dormant all these years, awaiting its opportunity to see the light of day.

I do quite like this song. It will help you remember this psalm word for word, it has compelling hooks and rhythms, and it meditates well on this psalm. If the lyrics below read like the ESV, well, they are.

Mere Breath (Ps. 39)

I said “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue;

I will guard my mouth with a muzzle so long as the wicked are in my presence.”

I was mute… and silent; I held me peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse

My heart became hot within me; as I mused the fire burned.

Then I spoke with my tongue… “O Lord, make me to know my end,

And what is the measure of my days;

Let me know how fleeting I am!

Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths,

And my lifetime is as nothing before You.”

Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! (surely a man goes about as a shadow)

Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! (Surely as a breath they are in turmoil)

Man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of the fool!

I am mute… I do not open my mouth, for it is You that has done it.

Remove Your stroke from me… I am spent by the hostility of Your hand

When You discipline a man with rebukes for sin

You consume like a moth (You consume like a moth) what is dear to him

Surely all mankind is a mere breath! (Selah)

Surely all mankind is a mere breath (Selah)

Hear my prayer O Lord, and give ear to my cry. Hold not Your peace at my tears!

For I am a sojourner with You, a guest like all my fathers.

Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart, and am no more!

Surely all mankind is a mere breath!

Surely all mankind is a mere breath (Selah)

Surely all mankind is a mere breath! (Selah)

Surely all mankind is a mere breath (Selah)

July 7/2010 Jamie Soles