< 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."
2 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 meditated, the fire burned: I spoke with my tongue:
4 "LORD, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.
5 Look, you have made my days handbreadths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath." (Selah)
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.
7 And now, LORD, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the taunt of fools.
9 I was mute. I did not open my mouth, because you did it.
10 Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow 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)
12 "Hear my prayer, LORD, 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.
13 Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away, and exist no more."