Psalm 39
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Psalm 39
Prayer for Wisdom and Forgiveness
To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1I said, "I will guard my ways,
that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will bridlea my mouth,
so long as the wicked are in my presence."
2I was dumb and silent,
I held my peace to no avail;
my distress grew worse,
3my heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4"Lord, let me know my end,
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is!
5Behold, 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
6Surely man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nought are they in turmoil;
man heaps up, and knows not who will gather!
7"And now, Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in thee.
8Deliver me from all my transgressions.
Make me not the scorn of the fool!
9I am dumb, I do not open my mouth;
for it is thou who hast done it.
10Remove thy stroke from me;
I am spent by the blowsb of thy hand.
11When 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"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.
13Look away from me, that I may know gladness,
before I depart and be no more!"