Psalms 39

1 [For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David.] I said, "I will watch my ways, so that I do not sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me."

For the choirmaster. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.”

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

I was speechless and still; I remained silent, even from speaking good, and my sorrow was stirred.

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

My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:

4 "Jehovah, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.

“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.

5 Look, you have made my days handbreadths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath." (Selah)

You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath.

6 "Surely a person goes about like a shadow. Surely he heaps up vain things of wealth, and doesn't know who shall gather them.

Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.

7 Now, Jehovah, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the taunt of fools.

Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of fools.

9 I was mute. I did not open my mouth, because you did it.

I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done.

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

Remove Your scourge from me; I am perishing by the force of Your hand.

11 When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath." (Selah)

You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor.

12 "Hear my prayer, Jehovah, and give ear to my cry. Do not be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers.

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

Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more.”