Psalms 39

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 Unto the end. A Psalm of David himself.	1 To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will bridle my mouth, so long as the wicked are in my presence."
2 I have waited expectantly for the Lord, and he was attentive to me.	2 I was dumb and silent, I held my peace to no avail; my distress grew worse,
3 And he heard my prayers and he led me out of the pit of misery and the quagmire. And he stationed my feet upon a rock, and he directed my steps.	3 my heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
4 And he sent a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many will see, and they will fear; and they will hope in the Lord.	4 "LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is!
5 Blessed is the man whose hope is in the name of the Lord, and who has no respect for vanities and absurd falsehoods.	5 Behold, 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]
6 You have accomplished your many wonders, O Lord my God, and there is no one similar to you in your thoughts. I have announced and I have spoken: they are multiplied beyond number.	6 Surely man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nought are they in turmoil; man heaps up, and knows not who will gather!
7 Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have perfected ears for me. Holocaust and sin offering, you did not require.	7 "And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in thee.
8 Then I said, “Behold, I draw near.” At the head of the book, it has been written of me:	8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Make me not the scorn of the fool!
9 that I should do your will. My God, I have willed it. And your law is in the midst of my heart.	9 I am dumb, I do not open my mouth; for it is thou who hast done it.
10 I have announced your justice in a great Church: behold, I will not restrain my lips. O Lord, you have known it.	10 Remove thy stroke from me; I am spent by the blows of thy hand.
11 I have not concealed your justice within my heart. I have spoken your truth and your salvation. I have not concealed your mercy and your truth from a great assembly.	11 When 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 O Lord, do not take your tender mercies far from me. Your mercy and your truth ever sustain me.	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.
13 For evils without number have surrounded me. My iniquities have taken hold of me, and I was not able to see. They have been multiplied beyond the hairs of my head. And my heart has forsaken me.	13 Look away from me, that I may know gladness, before I depart and be no more!"
14 Be pleased, O Lord, to rescue me. Look down, O Lord, to help me.
15 Let them together be confounded and awed, who seek after my soul to steal it away. Let them be turned back and be in awe, who wish evils upon me.
16 Let them bear their confusion all at once, who say to me, “Well, well.”
17 Let all who seek you exult and rejoice over you. And let those who love your salvation always say, “May the Lord be magnified.”
18 But I am a beggar and poor. The Lord has been concerned about me. You are my helper and my protector. My God, do not delay.