39
For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David [Beloved].
1 I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin ·err (the standard goal)· 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 “Adonai, 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 ·contemplation with musical interlude·.
6 “Surely every man walks like a shadow.
Surely they busy themselves in vain.
He heaps up, and does not know who shall gather.
7 Now, Lord, what do I wait for?
My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my rebellious breaches of relationships.
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 depravity (moral evil),
You consume his wealth like a moth.
Surely every man is but a breath.”
Selah ·contemplation with musical interlude·.
12 “Sh'ma ·Hear obey· my prayer, Adonai, 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.”
* 39:12 . Quoted in 1 Pet 2:11