Psalms 39
1 For the choirmaster. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.”
To the chief music-maker. Of Jeduthun. A Psalm. Of David. I said, I will give attention to my ways, so that my tongue may do no wrong; I will keep my mouth under control, while the sinner is before me.
2 I was speechless and still; I remained silent, even from speaking good, and my sorrow was stirred.
I made no sound, I said no word, even of good; and I was moved with sorrow.
3 My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:
My heart was burning in my breast; while I was deep in thought the fire was lighted; then I said with my tongue,
4 “Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.
Lord, give me knowledge of my end, and of the measure of my days, so that I may see how feeble I am.
5 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.
You have made my days no longer than a hand's measure; and my years are nothing in your eyes; truly, every man is but a breath. (Selah)
6 Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.
Truly, every man goes on his way like an image; he is troubled for no purpose: he makes a great store of wealth, and has no knowledge of who will get it.
7 And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.
And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? my hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of fools.
Make me free from all my sins; do not let me be shamed by the man of evil behaviour.
9 I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done.
I was quiet, and kept my mouth shut; because you had done it.
10 Remove Your scourge from me; I am perishing by the force of Your hand.
No longer let your hand be hard on me; I am wasted by the blows of your hand.
11 You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor.
By the weight of your wrath against man's sin, the glory of his form is wasted away; truly every man is but a breath. (Selah)
12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers.
Let my prayer come to your ears, O Lord, and give attention to my cry, make an answer to my weeping: for my time here is short before you, and in a little time I will be gone, like all my fathers.
13 Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more.”
Let your wrath be turned away from me, so that I may be comforted, before I go away from here, and become nothing.
