The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Psalms 039
For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A
Psalm by David.
1 I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I
don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle
while the wicked is before me.”
2 I was mute with silence. I held my peace,
even from good. My sorrow was stirred.
3 My heart was hot within me. While I meditated,
the fire burned. I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Yahweh, show me my end,
what is the measure of my days.
Let me know how frail I am.
5 Behold, you have made my days hand
widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely every man stands as a breath.” Selah.
6 “Surely every man walks like a shadow.
Surely they busy themselves in vain.
He heaps up, and doesn’t know who
shall gather.
7 Now, Lord, what do I wait for?
My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions.
Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.
9 I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth,
because you did it.
10 Remove your scourge away from me.
I am overcome by the blow of your
hand.
11 When you rebuke and correct man for
iniquity, you consume his wealth like a moth.
Surely every man is but a breath.”
Selah.
12 “Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear
to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears.
For I am a stranger with you,
a foreigner, as all my fathers were.
13 Oh spare me, that I may recover
strength, before I go away and exist no more.”