Psalms 39

1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, 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, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.

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

My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burnt. I spoke with my tongue:

4 LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.

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

5 Behold, you have made my days as an handbreadth; and my age is as nothing before you: truly every man at his best state 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 every man walks in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches, and knows 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 is in you.

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 foolish.

Deliver me from all my transgressions. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.

9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because you did it.

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

10 Remove your stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of your hand.

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

11 When you with rebukes do correct man for iniquity, you make his beauty to consume away like a moth: 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 to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with you, and 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 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

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