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.'

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

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

3 My heart waxed hot within me; while I was musing, the fire kindled; then spoke I 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 'LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; let me know how short-lived I am.

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, 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 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 walketh as a mere semblance; surely for vanity they are in turmoil; he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who 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, Lord, what wait I for? My hope, it is in Thee.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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.

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 Look away from me, that I may take comfort, before I go hence, 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.