Psalm 39
I Will Watch My Ways
1To the one directing. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways from sinning with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, as long as a wicked one is before me.”
2I was mute in silence, I kept silent from good, and my sorrow was stirred up.
3My heart became hot within me; in my musing, a fire was kindled; I have spoken with my tongue:
4“Cause me to know, O YHWH, my end, and the measure of my days—what is it?—That I may know how fleeting I am.
5Behold, as handbreadths have made my days, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each one is a vapor, each man is stationary. Selah
6surely like a shadow every man goes about; surely in vain they are in commotion; he heaps up, and does not know who will gather them.
7And now, what am I waiting, O Lord? My hope, it is in You.
8May You deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of the fool!
9I have become mute, and cannot open my mouth—O that You would act!
10Turn Your plague away from me! By the blow of Your hand I am consumed.
11With rebukes over iniquity, You discipline a man, the things he desires you melt away like a moth; surely every man is a vapor. Selah
12hear my prayer, O YHWH, and turn your ear to my cry; at my tears may You not be silent! For I am a sojourner with You, a sojourner like all my fathers.
13Turn Your gaze from me, that I might be made glad, before I go on and am no more.”