Psalms, 39

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0. To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

1. [For the choirmaster For Jeduthun Psalm Of David] I said, 'I will watch how I behave so that I do not sin by my tongue. I will keep a muzzle on my mouth as long as any sinner is near.'

1. 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."

2. I stayed dumb, silent, speechless, but the sinner's prosperity redoubled my torment.

2. I was dumb and silent, I held my peace to no avail; my distress grew worse,

3. My heart had been smouldering within me, but at the thought of this it flared up and the words came bursting out,

3. my heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:

4. 'Yahweh, let me know my fate, how much longer I have to live. Show me just how frail I am.

4. "LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is!

5. 'Look, you have given me but a hand's breadth or two of life, the length of my life is as nothing to you. Every human being that stands on earth is a mere puff of wind,

5. 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]

6. every human being that walks only a shadow; a mere puff of wind is the wealth stored away -- no knowing who will profit from it.'

6. Surely man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nought are they in turmoil; man heaps up, and knows not who will gather!

7. So now, Lord, what am I to hope for? My hope is in you.

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

8. Save me from all my sins, do not make me the butt of fools.

8. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Make me not the scorn of the fool!

9. I keep silence, I speak no more since you yourself have been at work.

9. I am dumb, I do not open my mouth; for it is thou who hast done it.

10. Take your scourge away from me. I am worn out by the blows you deal me.

10. Remove thy stroke from me; I am spent by the blows of thy hand.

11. You correct human beings by punishing sin, like a moth you eat away all their desires -- a human being is a mere puff of wind.

11. 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]

12. Yahweh, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for help, do not remain deaf to my weeping. For I am a stranger in your house, a nomad like all my ancestors.

12. "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.

13. Turn away your gaze that I may breathe freely before I depart and am no more!

13. Look away from me, that I may know gladness, before I depart and be no more!"