For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.’2So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased;3my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:4‘Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.5You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.[1]6‘Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.7‘But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.8Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.9I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.10Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.11When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth – surely everyone is but a breath.12‘Hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were.13Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.’
Psalm 39
King James Version
1To 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.2I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.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 .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.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.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.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.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.