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.”

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, 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, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

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

My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: 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 my end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail 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, you have made my days as an handbreadth; and my age is as nothing before you: truly every man at his best state 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 every man walks in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches, and knows 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 is in you.

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 foolish.

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

I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because you did it.

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

Remove your stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow 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.

When you with rebukes do correct man for iniquity, you make his beauty to consume away like a moth: 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 to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with you, and 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.”

O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.