Psalm 39. Dixi, Custodiam.

1. I SAID, I will take heed to my ways, *
   that I offend not in my tongue.
2. I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle, *
   while the ungodly is in my sight.
3. I held my tongue, and spake nothing: *
   I kept silence, yea, even from good words; but it was pain and grief to me.
4. My heart was hot within me: and while I was thus musing the fire kindled, *
   and at the last I spake with my tongue:
5. Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my days; *
   that I may be certified how long I have to live.
6. Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long, and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee; *
   and verily every man living is altogether vanity.
7. For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain; *
   he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
8. And now, Lord, what is my hope? *
   truly my hope is even in thee.
9. Deliver me from all mine offences; *
   and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
10. I became dumb, and opened not my mouth; *
    for it was thy doing.
11. Take thy plague away from me: *
    I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.
12. When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting a garment: *
    every man therefore is but vanity.
13. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling; *
    hold not thy peace at my tears;
14. For I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, *
    as all my fathers were.
15. O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength, *
    before I go hence, and be no more seen.