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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 39:4 "Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/39-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/19_Psa_039_004.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 39:4 - I Will Watch My Ways" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. 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Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/39.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/39.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/39.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it <i>is; that</i> I may know how frail I <i>am</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/39.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“LORD, make me to know my end, And what <i>is</i> the measure of my days, <i>That</i> I may know how frail I <i>am.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/39.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“LORD, let me know my end, And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/39.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/39.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the extent of my days, Let me know how transient I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/39.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Yahweh, cause me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/39.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“LORD, let me know my [life’s] end And [to appreciate] the extent of my days; Let me know how frail I am [how transient is my stay here].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/39.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“LORD, make me aware of my end and the number of my days so that I will know how short-lived I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/39.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br /> LORD, reveal to me the end of my life and the number of my days. Let me know how short-lived I am. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/39.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Jehovah, make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is; Let me know how frail I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/39.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"Please, LORD, show me my future. Will I soon be gone? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/39.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; let me know how frail I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/39.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Teach me, O LORD, about the end of my life. Teach me about the number of days I have left so that I may know how temporary my life is.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/39.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"LORD, how long will I live? When will I die? Tell me how soon my life will end." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/39.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"LORD, let me know how my life ends, and the standard by which you will measure my days, whatever it is! Then I will know how transient my life is.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/39.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/39.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"O LORD, help me understand my mortality and the brevity of life! Let me realize how quickly my life will pass! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/39.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"LORD, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/39.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/39.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/39.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Cause me to know, O YHWH, my end, "" And the measure of my days—what it [is],” "" I know how frail I [am].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/39.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Cause me to know, O Jehovah, mine end, And the measure of my days -- what it is,' I know how frail I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/39.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />O Jehovah, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; I shall know how I fail.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/39.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I spoke with my tongue : O Lord, make me know my end. And what is the number of my days : that I may know what is wanting to me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/39.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 38:5>I spoke with my tongue, “O Lord, make me know my end, and what the number of my days will be, so that I may know what is lacking to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/39.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />LORD, let me know my end, the number of my days, that I may learn how frail I am. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/39.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/39.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />LORD, show me mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know my destiny.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/39.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Show me, LORD JEHOVAH, my end, and the measure of my days, what it is, that I may know why I remain.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/39.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />LORD, make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is; Let me know how short-lived I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/39.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />O Lord, make me to know mine end, and the number of my days, what it is; that I may know what I lack.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/39-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=4577" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/39.htm">I Will Watch My Ways</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: hō·w·ḏî·‘ê·nî (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">“Show me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">O LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7093.htm" title="7093: qiṣ·ṣî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- End. Contracted from qatsats; an extremity; adverbially after.">my end</a> <a href="/hebrew/4060.htm" title="4060: ū·mid·daṯ (Conj-w:: N-fsc) -- Feminine of mad; properly, extension, i.e. Height or breadth; also a measure; hence a portion or a vestment; specifically, tribute.">and the measure</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·may (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">of my days.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: ’ê·ḏə·‘āh (V-Qal-Imperf.Cohort-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">Let me know</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: meh- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">how</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2310.htm" title="2310: ḥā·ḏêl (Adj-ms) -- Forbearing, lacking. From chadal; vacant, i.e. Ceasing or destitute.">fleeting</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ā·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">my life is.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a></span><br />You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1-2</a></span><br />“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-12.htm">Psalm 90:12</a></span><br />So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:20</a></span><br />All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a></span><br />For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/7-6.htm">Job 7:6-7</a></span><br />My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle; they come to an end without hope. / Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-17.htm">2 Corinthians 4:17-18</a></span><br />For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:12</a></span><br />For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Isaiah 40:6-8</a></span><br />A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/29-15.htm">1 Chronicles 29:15</a></span><br />For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-27.htm">Hebrews 9:27</a></span><br />Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/8-9.htm">Job 8:9</a></span><br />For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/102-3.htm">Psalm 102:3</a></span><br />For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:7</a></span><br />before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-20.htm">Luke 12:20</a></span><br />But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.</p><p class="hdg">make</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/90-12.htm">Psalm 90:12</a></b></br> So teach <i>us</i> to number our days, that we may apply <i>our</i> hearts unto wisdom.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-84.htm">Psalm 119:84</a></b></br> How many <i>are</i> the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/14-13.htm">Job 14:13</a></b></br> O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/38-19.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/psalms/37-38.htm">End</a> <a href="/joshua/17-18.htm">Extent</a> <a href="/psalms/38-8.htm">Feeble</a> <a href="/job/14-2.htm">Fleeting</a> <a href="/genesis/33-13.htm">Frail</a> <a href="/psalms/38-12.htm">Life</a> <a href="/psalms/38-8.htm">Measure</a> <a href="/job/14-1.htm">Short-Lived</a> <a href="/psalms/28-5.htm">Show</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-24.htm">Transient</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/41-10.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/psalms/41-5.htm">End</a> <a href="/matthew/25-40.htm">Extent</a> <a href="/psalms/75-3.htm">Feeble</a> <a href="/psalms/89-47.htm">Fleeting</a> <a href="/matthew/26-41.htm">Frail</a> <a href="/psalms/40-14.htm">Life</a> <a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Measure</a> <a href="/mark/4-17.htm">Short-Lived</a> <a href="/psalms/39-6.htm">Show</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-18.htm">Transient</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 39</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">David's care of his thoughts</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/39-4.htm">The consideration of the brevity and vanity of life</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/39-7.htm">the reverence of God's judgments</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/39-10.htm">and prayer, are his bridles of impatience</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/39.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/39.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Show me, O LORD, my end</b><br>This phrase is a plea for divine revelation and understanding of one's mortality. In biblical context, acknowledging one's end is a call for wisdom and humility. The psalmist seeks God's guidance to comprehend the finite nature of human life. This request reflects the wisdom literature theme found in <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:2</a>, which emphasizes the importance of contemplating one's mortality to gain a heart of wisdom. The use of "LORD" signifies a personal relationship with God, invoking His covenant name, Yahweh, which denotes His eternal nature in contrast to human transience.<p><b>and the measure of my days</b><br>Here, the psalmist desires to understand the brevity and limitations of his lifespan. This reflects a common biblical theme where life is often compared to a shadow or a breath, as seen in <a href="/job/14-5.htm">Job 14:5</a> and <a href="/psalms/90-12.htm">Psalm 90:12</a>. The "measure" implies a fixed, divinely appointed span, suggesting that life is under God's sovereign control. This understanding encourages believers to live purposefully and in accordance with God's will, recognizing that their time on earth is limited and should be used wisely.<p><b>Let me know how fleeting my life is</b><br>The request to "know" underscores a deep yearning for awareness and acceptance of life's transitory nature. The term "fleeting" conveys the idea of life being ephemeral and passing quickly, akin to a vapor or mist, as described in <a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a>. This acknowledgment serves as a reminder of human frailty and the need for dependence on God. It also points to the eternal perspective that believers are encouraged to adopt, focusing on heavenly treasures rather than earthly ones, as taught in <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>. The fleeting nature of life is a call to prioritize spiritual growth and readiness for eternity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/39.htm">Psalm 39</a>, David is expressing a deep, personal prayer to God, seeking wisdom and understanding about the brevity of life.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/lord.htm">LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, to whom David directs his prayer, seeking divine insight and revelation.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/life's_brevity.htm">Life's Brevity</a></b><br>The central theme of this verse, focusing on the transient nature of human existence and the importance of understanding our limited time on earth.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_life's_brevity.htm">Understanding Life's Brevity</a></b><br>Recognize that life is short and uncertain. This awareness should lead us to live purposefully and prioritize what truly matters.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_divine_wisdom.htm">Seeking Divine Wisdom</a></b><br>Like David, we should seek God's perspective on our lives, asking Him to reveal the significance of our days and guide us in making wise decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_with_eternity_in_mind.htm">Living with Eternity in Mind</a></b><br>Our understanding of life's fleeting nature should motivate us to focus on eternal values and invest in our relationship with God and others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultivating_humility.htm">Cultivating Humility</a></b><br>Acknowledging our limited time on earth fosters humility, reminding us of our dependence on God and the importance of living according to His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prioritizing_spiritual_growth.htm">Prioritizing Spiritual Growth</a></b><br>Use the awareness of life's brevity to prioritize spiritual growth and maturity, seeking to align our lives with God's purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_39.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 39</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_medicine_fit_with_god's_lifespan.htm">Psalm 39:4 – If God determines our lifespan, how can we reconcile that with modern medicine’s ability to extend life? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god_in_complete_control.htm">Is God in complete control?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_39__does_it_conflict_with_human_purpose.htm">Psalm 39 – Does this portrayal of life’s futility conflict with other Bible passages affirming human purpose and value?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_machiavellianism.htm">What does 'To dust you shall return' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/39.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Rhythmically and from every other reason the psalm onward from this verse must be treated as the utterance to which the poet's feelings have at length driven him.<p><span class= "bld">How frail I am.</span>--This is to be preferred to the margin, which follows the LXX. and Vulg. The Hebrew word, from a root meaning to "leave off," though in <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm" title="He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.">Isaiah 53:3</a> it means "forsaken," here, as in <a href="/ezekiel/3-27.htm" title="But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, Thus said the Lord GOD; He that hears, let him hear; and he that declines, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.">Ezekiel 3:27</a>, is active, and implies "ceasing to live."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/39.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Lord, make me to know mine end, and the number of my days.</span> This is not exactly the request of Job, who desired to be at once cut off (<a href="/job/6-9.htm">Job 6:9</a>; <a href="/job/7-15.htm">Job 7:15</a>; <a href="/job/14-13.htm">Job 14:13</a>), but it is a request conceived in the same spirit. The psalmist is weary of life, expects nothing from it, feels that it is "altogether vanity." He asks, therefore, not exactly for death, but that it may be told him how long he will have to endure the wretched life that he is leading. He anticipates no relief except in death, and feels, at any rate for the time, that he would welcome death as a deliverer<span class="cmt_word">. That I may know how frail I am.</span> So most moderns; but Hengstenberg denies that <span class="hebrew">חדל</span> can ever mean "frail," and falls back upon the old rendering, "that I may know when I shall cease [to be]," which certainly gives a very good sense. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/39-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Show me,</span><br /><span class="heb">הוֹדִ֘יעֵ֤נִי</span> <span class="translit">(hō·w·ḏî·‘ê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֨ה ׀</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my end</span><br /><span class="heb">קִצִּ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(qiṣ·ṣî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7093.htm">Strong's 7093: </a> </span><span class="str2">An extremity, after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the measure</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִדַּ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mid·daṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4060.htm">Strong's 4060: </a> </span><span class="str2">Extension, height, breadth, a measure, a portion, a vestment, tribute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of my days.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמַ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(yā·may)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Let me know</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֝דְעָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ḏə·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">how</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fleeting</span><br /><span class="heb">חָדֵ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·ḏêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2310.htm">Strong's 2310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Vacant, ceasing, destitute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my life is.</span><br /><span class="heb">אָֽנִי׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/39-4.htm">Psalm 39:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/39-4.htm">Psalm 39:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/39-4.htm">Psalm 39:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/39-4.htm">Psalm 39:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/39-4.htm">Psalm 39:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/39-4.htm">Psalm 39:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/39-4.htm">Psalm 39:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/39-4.htm">Psalm 39:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/39-4.htm">Psalm 39:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/39-4.htm">Psalm 39:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/39-4.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 39:4 Yahweh show me my end what (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/39-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 39:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 39:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/39-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 39:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 39:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>