Psalms 39
1 Unto the end, for Idithun himself, a canticle of David. I said: I will take heed to my ways: that I sin not with my tongue. I have set guard to my mouth, when the sinner stood against me.
For the Leader, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said: 'I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue; I will keep a curb upon my mouth, while the wicked is before me.'
2 I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence from good things: and my sorrow was renewed.
I was dumb with silence; I held my peace, had no comfort; and my pain was held in check.
3 My heart grew hot within me: and in my meditation a fire shall flame out.
My heart waxed hot within me; while I was musing, the fire kindled; then spoke I with my tongue:
4 I spoke with my tongue: O Lord, make me know my end. And what is the number of my days: that I may know what is wanting to me.
'LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; let me know how short-lived I am.
5 Behold thou hast made my days measurable: and my substance is as nothing before thee. And indeed all things are vanity: every man living.
Behold, Thou hast made my days as hand-breadths; and mine age is as nothing before Thee; surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. (Selah)
6 Surely man passeth as an image: yea, and he is disquieted in vain. He storeth up: and he knoweth not for whom he shall gather these things.
Surely man walketh as a mere semblance; surely for vanity they are in turmoil; he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
7 And now what is my hope? is it not the Lord? and my substance is with thee.
And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope, it is in Thee.
8 Deliver thou me from all my iniquities: thou hast made me a reproach to the fool.
Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the base.
9 I was dumb, and I opened not my mouth, because thou hast done it.
I am dumb, I open not my mouth; because Thou hast done it.
10 Remove thy scourges from me. The strength of thy hand hath made me faint in rebukes:
Remove Thy stroke from off me; I am consumed by the blow of Thy hand.
11 Thou hast corrected man for iniquity. And thou hast made his soul to waste away like a spider: surely in vain is any man disquieted.
With rebukes dost Thou chasten man for iniquity, and like a moth Thou makest his beauty to consume away; surely every man is vanity. (Selah)
12 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and my supplication: give ear to my tears. Be not silent: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner as all my fathers were.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; keep not silence at my tears; for I am a stranger with Thee, a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13 O forgive me, that I may be refreshed, before I go hence, and be no more.
Look away from me, that I may take comfort, before I go hence, and be no more.'
