Psalms 39

1 For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”

I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin ·err (the standard goal)· 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.

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:

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

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

“Adonai, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.

5 Behold, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” (Selah)

Behold, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” (Selah) ·contemplation with musical interlude·.

6 “Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather.

“Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and does not know who shall gather.

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

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

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.

Deliver me from all my rebellious breaches of relationships. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.

9 I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it.

I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it.

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

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)

When you rebuke and correct man for depravity (moral evil), You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath.” (Selah) ·contemplation with musical interlude·.

12 “Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.

“Sh'ma ·Hear obey· my prayer, Adonai, and give ear to my cry. Don’t 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.”

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