Psalm 39

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Psalm 39 – New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 39[a]

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

  1. I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.”
  2. So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased;
  3. my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
  4. “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.
  5. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.[b]
  6. “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.
  7. “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
  8. Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.
  9. I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.
  10. Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
  11. When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth— surely everyone is but a breath.
  12. “Hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
  13. Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.”

Footnotes

a. Psalm 39:1 In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.
b. Psalm 39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 39 – King James Version (KJV)

To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.

  1. I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me.
  2. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; And my sorrow was stirred.
  3. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: Then spake I with my tongue.
  4. LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; That I may know how frail I am.
  5. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; And mine age is as nothing before thee: Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
  6. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: Surely they are disquieted in vain: He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
  7. And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.
  8. Deliver me from all my transgressions: Make me not the reproach of the foolish.
  9. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; Because thou didst it.
  10. Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
  11. When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: Surely every man is vanity. Selah.
  12. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; Hold not thy peace at my tears: For I am a stranger with thee, And a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
  13. O spare me, that I may recover strength, Before I go hence, and be no more.