Psalm 39

To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.

1I 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.footnote a

2I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.footnote b

3My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

4LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.footnote c

5Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.footnote d

6Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.footnote e

7And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

8Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

9I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.

10Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.footnote f

11When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.footnote g

12Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

13O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

I Will Watch My Ways

For the choirmaster. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

1I said, “I will watch my waysso that I will not sin with my tongue;I will guard my mouth with a muzzleas long as the wicked are present.” 2I was speechless and still;I remained silent, even from speaking good,and my sorrow was stirred. 3My heart grew hot within me;as I mused, the fire burned.Then I spoke with my tongue:

4“Show me, O LORD, my endand the measure of my days.Let me know how fleeting my life is. 5You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths,and my lifetime as nothing before You.Truly each man at his bestexists as but a breath.Selah 6Surely every man goes about like a phantom;surely he bustles in vain;he heaps up richesnot knowing who will haul them away.

7And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?My hope is in You. 8Deliver me from all my transgressions;do not make me the reproach of fools. 9I have become mute;I do not open my mouthbecause of what You have done. 10Remove Your scourge from me;I am perishing by the force of Your hand. 11You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity,consuming like a moth what he holds dear;surely each man is but a vapor.Selah 12Hear my prayer, O LORD,and give ear to my cry for help;do not be deaf to my weeping.For I am a foreigner dwelling with You,a stranger like all my fathers. 13Turn Your gaze away from me,that I may again be cheeredbefore I depart and am no more.”