Psalms

The first book of Psalms, song 39, New English Translation and King James Version

Psalm 39

New English Translation

For the music director, Jeduthun; a psalm of David.

   1 I decided, "I will watch what I say and make sure I do not sin with my tongue. I will put a muzzle over my mouth while in the presence of an evil man."
   2 I was stone silent; I held back the urge to speak. My frustration grew;
   3 my anxiety intensified. As I thought about it, I became impatient. Finally I spoke these words:
   4 "O LORD, help me understand my mortality and the brevity of life! Let me realize how quickly my life will pass!
   5 Look, you make my days short-lived, and my life span is nothing from your perspective. Surely all people, even those who seem secure, are nothing but vapor.
   6 Surely people go through life as mere ghosts. Surely they accumulate worthless wealth without knowing who will eventually haul it away."
   7 But now, O LORD, upon what am I relying? You are my only hope!
   8 Deliver me from all my sins of rebellion! Do not make me the object of fools' insults!
   9 I am silent and cannot open my mouth because of what you have done.
   10 Please stop wounding me! You have almost beaten me to death!
   11 You severely discipline people for their sins; like a moth you slowly devour their strength. Surely all people are a mere vapor. (Selah)
   12 Hear my prayer, O LORD! Listen to my cry for help! Do not ignore my sobbing! For I am dependent on you, like one residing outside his native land; I am at your mercy, just as all my ancestors were.
   13 Turn your angry gaze away from me, so I can be happy before I pass away.

King James Version

To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.

   1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
   2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
   3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
   4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
   5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
   6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
   7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
   8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
   9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
   10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
   11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.
   12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
   13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.