Psalms — Chapter 39

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.

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.

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.

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:

4Jehovah, make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is; Let me know how frail I am.

5Behold, thou hast made my days [as] handbreadths; And my life-time is as nothing before thee: Surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. Selah

6Surely every man walketh in a vain show; 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 thy 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 Jehovah, and give ear unto my cry; Hold not thy peace at my tears: For I am a stranger with thee, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.

13Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, Before I go hence, and be no more. Psalm 40 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1For the music director, Jeduthun; a psalm of David. I decided, “I will watch what I say and make sure I do not sin with my tongue. I will put a muzzle over my mouth while in the presence of an evil person.”

2I was stone silent; I held back the urge to speak. My frustration grew;

3my anxiety intensified. As I thought about it, I became impatient. Finally I spoke these words:

4“O Lord, help me understand my mortality and the brevity of life. Let me realize how quickly my life will pass.

5Look, you make my days short lived, and my life span is nothing from your perspective. Surely all people, even those who seem secure, are nothing but vapor. (Selah)

6Surely people go through life as mere ghosts. Surely they accumulate worthless wealth without knowing who will eventually haul it away.”

7But now, O Lord, upon what am I relying? You are my only hope!

8Deliver me from all my sins of rebellion. Do not make me the object of fools’ insults.

9I am silent and cannot open my mouth because of what you have done.

10Please stop wounding me. You have almost beaten me to death.

11You severely discipline people for their sins; like a moth you slowly devour their strength. Surely all people are a mere vapor. (Selah)

12Hear my prayer, O Lord. Listen to my cry for help. Do not ignore my sobbing. For I am a resident foreigner with you, a temporary settler, just as all my ancestors were.

13Turn your angry gaze away from me, so I can be happy before I pass away.

1I 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.”

2I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.

3My 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.

5Behold, 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.

7Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

8Deliver me from all my transgressions. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.

9I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it.

10Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11When 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.

13Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away, and exist no more.”