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 Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”

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

I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. 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 was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned. 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.

“LORD, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail 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)

Behold, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as 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.

“Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather.

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

Now, Lord, what do I wait for? 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. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.

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

I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it.

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

Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow 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)

When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, you consume his wealth like a moth. Surely 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.

“Hear my prayer, LORD, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.

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

Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away and exist no more.”