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 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.

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

I was dumb, and humbled myself, and kept silence from good [words]; and my grief was renewed.

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, and a fire would kindle in my (meditation) 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.

O Lord, make me to know mine end, and the number of my days, what it is; that I may know what I lack.

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)

Behold, thou hast made my days old; and my existence [is] as nothing before thee: nay, every man living [is] altogether vanity. (Pause)

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 man walks in a shadow; nay, he is disquieted in vain: he lays up treasures, and knows not for whom he shall gather them.

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

And now what [is] my expectation? [is it] not the Lord? and my ground [of hope] is with thee. (Pause)

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

Deliver me from all my transgressions: thou hast made me a reproach to the foolish.

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

I was dumb, and opened not my mouth; for thou art he that made me.

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

Remove thy scourges from me: I have fainted by reason of the strength of thine 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)

Thou chastenest man with rebukes for iniquity, and thou makest his life to consume away like a spider's web; nay, every man is disquieted in vain. (Pause)

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.

O Lord, hearken 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].

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

Spare me, that I may be refreshed, before I depart, and be no more.