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Psalms: 39

In Time of Trouble.

[To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.]

I said, "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will bridle my mouth, so long as the wicked are in my presence."
I was dumb and silent,
I held my peace to no avail; my distress grew worse,
my heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:

"LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is!
Behold, thou hast made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing in thy sight.
Surely every man stands as a mere breath! [Selah]
Surely man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nought are they in turmoil;
man heaps up, and knows not who will gather!

"And now, Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in thee.
Deliver me from all my transgressions.
Make me not the scorn of the fool!
I am dumb, I do not open my mouth;
for it is thou who hast done it.
Remove thy stroke from me;
I am spent by the blows of thy hand.
When thou dost chasten man with rebukes for sin,
thou dost consume like a moth what is dear to him;
surely every man is a mere breath! [Selah]

"Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry;
hold not thy peace at my tears!
For I am thy passing guest,
a sojourner, like all my fathers.
Look away from me, that I may know gladness,
before I depart and be no more!"

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