Psalms 39
1 To the chief Musician, [even] to 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.
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] I spoke 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 my 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, thou hast made my days [as] a hand-breadth; and my age [is] as nothing before thee: 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 walketh in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth 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 thee.
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 thou didst [it].
I was quiet, and kept my mouth shut; because you had done it.
10 Remove thy stroke away from me; I am consumed by the blow of thy hand.
No longer let your hand be hard on me; I am wasted by the blows of your 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)
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 to my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I [am] a stranger with thee, [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 hence, 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.
