Psalms 39

1 To the excellent musician Ieduthun. I thought, I will take heede to my wayes, that I sinne not with my tongue: I will keepe my mouth brideled, while the wicked is in my sight.

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 dumme and spake nothing: I kept silece euen from good, and my sorow was more stirred.

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

3 Mine heart was hote within me, and while I was musing, the fire kindeled, and I spake with my tongue, saying,

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, let me know mine ende, and the measure of my dayes, what it is: let mee knowe howe long I haue to liue.

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

5 Beholde, thou hast made my dayes as an hand breadth, and mine age as nothing in respect of thee: surely euery man in his best state is altogether vanitie. (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 Doubtlesse man walketh in a shadowe, and disquieteth himselfe in vaine: he heapeth vp riches, and cannot tell 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? mine hope is euen in thee.

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

8 Deliuer me from all my transgressions, and make me not a rebuke vnto the foolish.

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

9 I should haue bene dumme, and not haue opened my mouth, because thou didest it.

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

10 Take thy plague away from mee: for I am consumed by the stroke of thine hand.

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

11 When thou with rebukes doest chastise man for iniquitie, thou as a mothe makest his beautie to consume: surely euery man is vanitie. (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 Heare my prayer, O Lord, and hearken vnto my cry: keepe not silence at my teares, for I am a strager with thee, and a soiourner as all my fathers.

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 Stay thine anger from me, that I may recouer my strength, before I go hence and be not.

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