Psalms 39

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
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.'	1 For the leader, for Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
2 I stayed dumb, silent, speechless, but the sinner's prosperity redoubled my torment.	2 I said, "I will watch my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will set a curb on my mouth."
3 My heart had been smouldering within me, but at the thought of this it flared up and the words camebursting out,	3 Dumb and silent before the wicked, I refrained from any speech. But my sorrow increased;
4 'Yahweh, let me know my fate, how much longer I have to live. Show me just how frail I am.	4 my heart smoldered within me. In my thoughts a fire blazed up, and I broke into speech:
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,	5 LORD, let me know my end, the number of my days, that I may learn how frail I am.
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.'	6 You have given my days a very short span; my life is as nothing before you. All mortals are but a breath. Selah
7 So now, Lord, what am I to hope for? My hope is in you.	7 Mere phantoms, we go our way; mere vapor, our restless pursuits; we heap up stores without knowing for whom.
8 Save me from al my sins, do not make me the butt of fools.	8 And now, Lord, what future do I have? You are my only hope.
9 I keep silence, I speak no more since you yourself have been at work.	9 From all my sins deliver me; let me not be the taunt of fools.
10 Take your scourge away from me. I am worn out by the blows you deal me.	10 I was silent and did not open my mouth because you were the one who did this.
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.	11 Take your plague away from me; I am ravaged by the touch of your hand.
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.	12 You rebuke our guilt and chasten us; you dissolve all we prize like a cobweb. All mortals are but a breath. Selah
13 Turn away your gaze that I may breathe freely before I depart and am no more!	13 Listen to my prayer, LORD, hear my cry; do not be deaf to my weeping! I sojourn with you like a passing stranger, a guest, like all my ancestors.
	14 Turn your gaze from me, that I may find peace before I depart to be no more.