Psalms 39

¹ [For the choirmaster For Jeduthun Psalm Of David] I said, 'I wil watch how I behave so that I do notsin by my tongue. I will keep a muzzle on my mouth as long as any sinner is near.'

² I stayed dumb, silent, speechless, but the sinner's prosperity redoubled my torment.

³ My heart had been smouldering within me, but at the thought of this it flared up and the words camebursting out,

⁴ 'Yahweh, let me know my fate, how much longer I have to live. Show me just how frail I am.

⁵ 'Look, you have given me but a hand's breadth or two of life, the length of my life is as nothing to you.Every human being that stands on earth is a mere puff of wind,

⁶ every human being that walks only a shadow; a mere puff of wind is the wealth stored away -- noknowing who wil profit from it.'

⁷ So now, Lord, what am I to hope for? My hope is in you.

⁸ Save me from al my sins, do not make me the butt of fools.

⁹ I keep silence, I speak no more since you yourself have been at work.

¹⁰ Take your scourge away from me. I am worn out by the blows you deal me.

¹¹ You correct human beings by punishing sin, like a moth you eat away all their desires -- a humanbeing is a mere puff of wind.

¹² Yahweh, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for help, do not remain deaf to my weeping. For I am astranger in your house, a nomad like al my ancestors.

¹³ Turn away your gaze that I may breathe freely before I depart and am no more!