< Psalms 39 >
1 For the Chief Musician, 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 my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
“A psalm of David. For the leader of the music of the Jeduthunites.” I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I may not 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 dumb with silence; I spake not even what was good; But my pain was increased.
3 My heart was hot within me; while I was musing the fire kindled: [then] spake I with my tongue:
My heart was hot within me; In my anguish the fire burst forth, And I spake with my tongue:
4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; let me know how frail I am.
LORD, make me to know mine end, And the number of my days, That I may know how frail I am!
5 Behold, thou hast made my days [as] handbreadths; and mine age is as nothing before thee: surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. (Selah)
Behold, thou hast made my days as a hand-breadth, And my life is as nothing before thee; Yea, every man in his firmest state is altogether vanity. (Pause)
6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them.
Surely every man walketh in a vain show; Surely he disquieteth himself in vain; He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
What, then, O Lord! is my hope? My hope is in thee!
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
Deliver me from all my transgressions; Let me not be the reproach of scoffers!
9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
Yet I am dumb; I open not my mouth; For thou hast done it!
10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
But remove from me thine infliction; For I am perishing by the blow of thine hand.
11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. (Selah)
When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for iniquity, Thou causest his glory to waste away like a moth! Surely every man is vanity.
12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
Hear my prayer, O LORD! Give ear to my cry; Be not silent at my tears! For I am but a stranger with thee, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
O spare me, that I may recover strength, Before I go away, and be no more!