Chapter 39

To the Overseer, to Jeduthun. -- A Psalm of David.

1

I have said, 'I observe my ways, Against sinning with my tongue, I keep for my mouth a curb, while the wicked is before me.'

2

I was dumb with silence, I kept silent from good, and my pain is excited.

3

Hot is my heart within me, In my meditating doth the fire burn, I have spoken with my tongue.

4

'Cause me to know, O Jehovah, mine end, And the measure of my days -- what it is,' I know how frail I am.

5

Lo, handbreadths Thou hast made my days, And mine age is as nothing before Thee, Only, all vanity is every man set up. Selah.

6

Only, in an image doth each walk habitually, Only, in vain, they are disquieted, He heapeth up and knoweth not who gathereth them.

7

And, now, what have I expected? O Lord, my hope -- it is of Thee.

8

From all my transgressions deliver me, A reproach of the fool make me not.

9

I have been dumb, I open not my mouth, Because Thou -- Thou hast done it.

10

Turn aside from off me Thy stroke, From the striving of Thy hand I have been consumed.

11

With reproofs against iniquity, Thou hast corrected man, And dost waste as a moth his desirableness, Only, vanity is every man. Selah.

12

Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, And to my cry give ear, Unto my tear be not silent, For a sojourner I am with Thee, A settler like all my fathers.

13

Look from me, and I brighten up before I go and am not!