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.

To the Overseer, to Jeduthun. — A Psalm of David. I have said, 'I observe my ways, Against sinning with my tongue, I keep for my mouth a curb, 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 kept silent from good, and my pain is excited.

3 My heart was burning in my breast; while I was deep in thought the fire was lighted; then I said with my tongue,

Hot [is] my heart within me, In my meditating doth the fire burn, I have spoken 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.

'Cause me to know, O Jehovah, mine end, And the measure of my days — what it [is],' I 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)

Lo, handbreadths Thou hast made my days, And mine age [is] as nothing before Thee, Only, all vanity [is] every man set up. (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.

Only, in an image doth each walk habitually, Only, [in] vain, they are disquieted, He heapeth up and knoweth not who gathereth them.

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

And, now, what have I expected? O Lord, my hope — it [is] of Thee.

8 Make me free from all my sins; do not let me be shamed by the man of evil behaviour.

From all my transgressions deliver me, A reproach of the fool make me not.

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

I have been dumb, I open not my mouth, Because Thou — Thou hast done [it].

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

Turn aside from off me Thy stroke, From the striving of Thy hand I have been consumed.

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)

With reproofs against iniquity, Thou hast corrected man, And dost waste as a moth his desirableness, Only, vanity [is] every man. (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, O Jehovah, And [to] my cry give ear, Unto my tear be not silent, For a sojourner I [am] with Thee, A settler like all my fathers.

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

Look from me, and I brighten up before I go and am not!