Psalms 39

For the choir director; according to Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

1I said, “I will guard my ways so that I do not sin with my tongue; I will keep a muzzle on my mouth while the wicked is before me.”

2I was mute and still; I kept silent even from good, and my pain was stirred up.

3My heart grew hot within me; as I meditated, a fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:

4Yahweh, make me know my end and the measure of my days—what it is; let me know how fleeting I am.

5Behold, you have made my days mere handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man, though standing firm, is altogether vapor. Selah

6Surely a man walks about as an image; surely people are in turmoil in vain. He heaps things up but does not know who will gather them.

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

8Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of a fool.

9I am mute; I will not open my mouth, because you have done it.

10Remove your stroke from me; because of the attack of your hand, I am spent.

11With rebukes for iniquity you discipline a man, and like a moth you consume what is precious to him; surely every man is vapor. Selah

12Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and listen to my cry; do not be silent at my tears. For I am a sojourner with you, a resident alien like all my fathers.

13Look away from me, so that I may recover before I go and am no more.