Psalm 39

For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David.

39 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 “Yahweh, 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, Yahweh, 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.”