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.
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, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
I made no sound, I said no word, even of good; and I was moved with sorrow.
3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: 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: that I may know how frail 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, you have made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before you: verily every man at his best state 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 every man walks in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches, and knows 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 is in you.
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 foolish.
Make me free from all my sins; do not let me be shamed by the man of evil behaviour.
9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because you did it.
I was quiet, and kept my mouth shut; because you had done it.
10 Remove your stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of your hand.
No longer let your hand be hard on me; I am wasted by the blows 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)
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; hold not your peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with you, and 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 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go behind, 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.
