Psalms 39

1 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.

Unto the end, for Idithun himself, a canticle of David. I said: I will take heed to my ways: that I sin not with my tongue. I have set guard to my mouth, when the sinner stood against me.

2 I made no sound, I said no word, even of good; and I was moved with sorrow.

I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence from good things: and my sorrow was renewed.

3 My heart was burning in my breast; while I was deep in thought the fire was lighted; then I said with my tongue,

My heart grew hot within me: and in my meditation a fire shall flame out.

4 Lord, give me knowledge of my end, and of the measure of my days, so that I may see how feeble I am.

I spoke with my tongue: O Lord, make me know my end. And what is the number of my days: that I may know what is wanting to me.

5 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)

Behold thou hast made my days measurable: and my substance is as nothing before thee. And indeed all things are vanity: every man living.

6 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.

Surely man passeth as an image: yea, and he is disquieted in vain. He storeth up: and he knoweth not for whom he shall gather these things.

7 And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? my hope is in you.

And now what is my hope? is it not the Lord? and my substance is with thee.

8 Make me free from all my sins; do not let me be shamed by the man of evil behaviour.

Deliver thou me from all my iniquities: thou hast made me a reproach to the fool.

9 I was quiet, and kept my mouth shut; because you had done it.

I was dumb, and I opened not my mouth, because thou hast done it.

10 No longer let your hand be hard on me; I am wasted by the blows of your hand.

Remove thy scourges from me. The strength of thy hand hath made me faint in rebukes:

11 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)

Thou hast corrected man for iniquity. And thou hast made his soul to waste away like a spider: surely in vain is any man disquieted.

12 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.

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and my supplication: give ear to my tears. Be not silent: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner as all my fathers were.

13 Let your wrath be turned away from me, so that I may be comforted, before I go away from here, and become nothing.

O forgive me, that I may be refreshed, before I go hence, and be no more.