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.”

For the Leader, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said: 'I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue; I will keep a curb upon my mouth, while the wicked is before me.'

2 I was speechless and still; I remained silent, even from speaking good, and my sorrow was stirred.

I was dumb with silence; I held my peace, had no comfort; and my pain was held in check.

3 My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:

My heart waxed hot within me; while I was musing, the fire kindled; then spoke I 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, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; let me know how short-lived 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.

Behold, Thou hast made my days as hand-breadths; and mine age is as nothing before Thee; surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. (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.

Surely man walketh as a mere semblance; surely for vanity they are in turmoil; he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

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

And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope, it is in Thee.

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of fools.

Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the base.

9 I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done.

I am dumb, I open not my mouth; because Thou hast done it.

10 Remove Your scourge from me; I am perishing by the force of Your hand.

Remove Thy stroke from off me; I am consumed by the blow of Thy 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.

With rebukes dost Thou chasten man for iniquity, and like a moth Thou makest his beauty to consume away; surely every man is vanity. (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.

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; keep not silence at my tears; for I am a stranger with Thee, a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

13 Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more.”

Look away from me, that I may take comfort, before I go hence, and be no more.'