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 Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin 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 mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. 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 meditated, the fire burned. I spoke with my tongue:

4 “Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.

“Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me 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 hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as 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.

“Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather.

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

Now, Lord, what do I wait 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. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.

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

I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it.

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

Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome 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 rebuke and correct man for iniquity, you consume his wealth like a moth. Surely 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.

“Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, 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.”

Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away and exist no more.”