Psalms 39
1 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.
“A psalm of David. For the leader of the music of the Jeduthunites.” I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I may not sin with my tongue; I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me.
2 I made no sound, I said no word, even of good; and I was moved with sorrow.
I was dumb with silence; I spake not even what was good; But my pain was increased.
3 My heart was burning in my breast; while I was deep in thought the fire was lighted; then I said with my tongue,
My heart was hot within me; In my anguish the fire burst forth, And I spake with my tongue:
4 Lord, give me knowledge of my end, and of the measure of my days, so that I may see how feeble I am.
LORD, make me to know mine end, And the number of my days, That I may know how frail I am!
5 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)
Behold, thou hast made my days as a hand-breadth, And my life is as nothing before thee; Yea, every man in his firmest state is altogether vanity. (Pause)
6 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.
Surely every man walketh in a vain show; Surely he disquieteth himself in vain; He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
7 And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? my hope is in you.
What, then, O Lord! is my hope? My hope is in thee!
8 Make me free from all my sins; do not let me be shamed by the man of evil behaviour.
Deliver me from all my transgressions; Let me not be the reproach of scoffers!
9 I was quiet, and kept my mouth shut; because you had done it.
Yet I am dumb; I open not my mouth; For thou hast done it!
10 No longer let your hand be hard on me; I am wasted by the blows of your hand.
But remove from me thine infliction; For I am perishing by the blow of thine hand.
11 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)
When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for iniquity, Thou causest his glory to waste away like a moth! Surely every man is vanity.
12 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.
Hear my prayer, O LORD! Give ear to my cry; Be not silent at my tears! For I am but a stranger with thee, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13 Let your wrath be turned away from me, so that I may be comforted, before I go away from here, and become nothing.
O spare me, that I may recover strength, Before I go away, and be no more!
