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.

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 made no sound, I said no word, even of good; and I was moved with sorrow.

I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.

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. While I meditated, the fire burned. I spoke 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, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me 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, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” (Selah)

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

7 And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? my hope is in you.

Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

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. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.

9 I was quiet, and kept my mouth shut; because you had done it.

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

10 No longer let your hand be hard on me; I am wasted by the blows of your hand.

Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your 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 you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, you consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath.” (Selah)

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, LORD, 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 Let your wrath be turned away from me, so that I may be comforted, before I go away from here, and become nothing.

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