Psalms

To the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Melody of David.

39 I said [to myself] I will take heed to my ways That I sin not with my tongue,—I will put on my mouth a muzzle, So long as the lawless is before me.

2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace afar from happiness, But my pain had been stirred:

3 Hot was my heart within me While I was musing there was kindled a fire, I spake with my tongue!

4 Let me know, O Yahweh, mine end And the measure of my days—what it is, I would know how short-lived I am.

5 Lo! as hand-breadths hast thou granted my days, And my life-time is as nothing before thee,—Surely a mere breath are all men, [even] such as stand firm. [Selah.

6 Surely as a shadow doth every man wander, Surely in vain do they bustle about, He heapeth things up, and knoweth not who shall gather them in.

7 Now therefore for what have I waited, O My Lord? My hope is in thee.

8 From all my transgressions rescue thou me,—The reproach of the base oh do not make me!

9 I am dumb, I cannot open my mouth, For thou hast done it.

10 Remove from off me thy stroke, Because of the hostility of thy hand am I consumed.

11 When by rebukes for iniquity thou hast corrected a man Then hast thou consumed as a moth all that was delightful within him, Surely a breath are all men. [Selah.

12 Hear my prayer, O Yahweh, And unto my cry for help give ear, At my tears do not be silent,—For a sojourner am I with thee, A stranger like all my fathers.

13 Look away from me that I may brighten up, Ere yet I depart and am no more.