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 an 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 depart, 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.