Psalms 39

1 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.'

For the choirmaster. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.”

2 I was dumb with silence; I held my peace, had no comfort; and my pain was held in check.

I was speechless and still; I remained silent, even from speaking good, and my sorrow was stirred.

3 My heart waxed hot within me; while I was musing, the fire kindled; then spoke I with my tongue:

My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:

4 'LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; let me know how short-lived I am.

“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.

5 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)

You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath.

6 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.

Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.

7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope, it is in Thee.

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the base.

Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of fools.

9 I am dumb, I open not my mouth; because Thou hast done it.

I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done.

10 Remove Thy stroke from off me; I am consumed by the blow of Thy hand.

Remove Your scourge from me; I am perishing by the force of Your hand.

11 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)

You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor.

12 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.

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers.

13 Look away from me, that I may take comfort, before I go hence, and be no more.'

Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more.”