Psalm 39
For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David.
1 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.”
2 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:
4 “LORD, 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.
6 “Surely
every man walks
like a shadow.
Surely they busy
themselves in vain.
He heaps up,
and doesn’t know
who shall gather.
7 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.
9 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.
11 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, LORD,
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.”