1 To the chief music-maker. Of Jeduthun. A Psalm. Of David.

2 \39:1\I said, I will give attention to my ways, so that my tongue may do no wrong; I will keep my mouth under control, while the sinner is before me.

3 \39:2\I made no sound, I said no word, even of good; and I was moved with sorrow.

4 \39:3\My heart was burning in my breast; while I was deep in thought the fire was lighted; then I said with my tongue,

5 \39:4\Lord, give me knowledge of my end, and of the measure of my days, so that I may see how feeble I am.

6 \39:5\You have made my days no longer than a hand's measure; and my years are nothing in your eyes; truly, every man is but a breath. (Selah.)

7 \39:6\Truly, every man goes on his way like an image; he is troubled for no purpose: he makes a great store of wealth, and has no knowledge of who will get it.

8 \39:7\And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? my hope is in you.

9 \39:8\Make me free from all my sins; do not let me be shamed by the man of evil behaviour.

10 \39:9\I was quiet, and kept my mouth shut; because you had done it.

11 \39:10\No longer let your hand be hard on me; I am wasted by the blows of your hand.

12 \39:11\By the weight of your wrath against man's sin, the glory of his form is wasted away; truly every man is but a breath. (Selah.)

13 \39:12\Let my prayer come to your ears, O Lord, and give attention to my cry, make an answer to my weeping: for my time here is short before you, and in a little time I will be gone, like all my fathers.

14 \39:13\Let your wrath be turned away from me, so that I may be comforted, before I go away from here, and become nothing.

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."