Psalms 39

1 For the leader; for Jeduthun. A psalm of David. I vowed to watch my words, and sin not with my tongue, but to put on my mouth a muzzle, while the wicked were in my presence.

[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 silent and dumb, speechless: but my pain was stirred up.

I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.

3 My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire was kindled, till at last the words came to my tongue.

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

4 “Teach me, O Lord, my end, and the sum of my days what it is. Let me know how transient I am.

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

5 See! My days you have made but a span, and my life is as nothing before you. It is but as a breath that everyone stands: (Selah)

Look, you have made my days handbreadths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath." (Selah)

6 it is but in mere semblance we walk to and fro, and all our noise is for nothing. We heap up, and know not who will gather.”

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

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

8 From all my transgressions deliver me; make me not the scorn of the fool.

Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the taunt of fools.

9 I am dumb, never opening my mouth, for this is your own doing.

I was mute. I did not open my mouth, because you did it.

10 Remove your stroke from off me: by the might of your hand I am spent.

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

11 When you rebuke someone to punish their sins, you consume, like a moth, what they treasures. Everyone is only a breath. (Selah)

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, O Lord; attend to my cry for help. Hold not your peace at my tears. For I am but a guest of yours, a stranger visiting, like all my ancestors.

"Hear my prayer, Jehovah, 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 Look away from me, let me smile again, before I die and am gone.

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