Psalms 39
1 For the end, a Song of David, to Idithun. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I set a guard on my mouth, while the sinner stood in my presence.
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.
2 I was dumb, and humbled myself, and kept silence from good [words]; and my grief was renewed.
I made no sound, I said no word, even of good; and I was moved with sorrow.
3 My heart grew hot within me, and a fire would kindle in my (meditation) I spoke with my tongue,
My heart was burning in my breast; while I was deep in thought the fire was lighted; then I said with my tongue,
4 O Lord, make me to know mine end, and the number of my days, what it is; that I may know what I lack.
Lord, give me knowledge of my end, and of the measure of my days, so that I may see how feeble I am.
5 Behold, you have made my days old; and my existence [is] as nothing before you: nay, every man living [is] altogether vanity. (Pause)
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)
6 Surely man walks in a shadow; nay, he is disquieted in vain: he lays up treasures, and knows not for whom he shall gather them.
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.
7 And now what [is] my expectation? [is it] not the Lord? and my ground [of hope] is with you. (Pause)
And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? my hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: you have made me a reproach to the foolish.
Make me free from all my sins; do not let me be shamed by the man of evil behaviour.
9 I was dumb, and opened not my mouth; for you are he that made me.
I was quiet, and kept my mouth shut; because you had done it.
10 Remove your scourges from me: I have fainted by reason of the strength of your hand.
No longer let your hand be hard on me; I am wasted by the blows of your hand.
11 You chasten man with rebukes for iniquity, and you make his life to consume away like a spider's web; nay, every man is disquieted in vain. (Pause)
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)
12 O Lord, listen to my prayer and my supplication: attend to my tears: be not silent, for I am a sojourner in the land, and a stranger, as all my fathers [were].
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.
13 Spare me, that I may be refreshed, before I depart, and be no more.
Let your wrath be turned away from me, so that I may be comforted, before I go away from here, and become nothing.
