Psalm 39

1 To the one directing. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. <span class=|reftext|><a href=|#|><b>1</b></a> I said, “I will guard my ways from sinning with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, as long as a wicked one is before me.”

2 I was mute [in] silence, I kept silent from good, and my sorrow was stirred up.

3 My heart became hot within me; in my musing, a fire was kindled; I have spoken with my tongue:

4 “Cause me to know, O YHWH, my end, and the measure of my days—what [is] it?—[That] I may know how fleeting I [am].

5 Behold, [as] handbreadths have made my days, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each one [is] a vapor, each man is stationary. Selah

6 surely like a shadow every man goes about; surely in vain they are in commotion; he heaps up, and does not know who will gather them.

7 And now, what am I waiting, O Lord? My hope, it [is] in You.

8 May You deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of the fool!

9 I have become mute, and cannot open my mouth—O that You would act!

10 Turn Your plague away from me! By the blow of Your hand I am consumed.

11 With rebukes over iniquity, You discipline a man, the things he desires you melt away like a moth; surely every man [is] a vapor. Selah

12 hear my prayer, O YHWH, and turn your ear to my cry; at my tears may You not be silent! For I [am] a sojourner with You, a sojourner like all my fathers.

13 Turn Your gaze from me, that I might be made glad, before I go [on] and am no more.”