Psalms 39

I Will Watch My Ways

For the choirmaster. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

1 I said, “I will watch my ways ‡ Pro 21:23Psa 141:3Jas 1:26Psa 119:9Mic 7:5-6Psa 34:13Jas 3:2-8Pro 18:21 +13

so that I will not sin with my tongue;

I will guard my mouth with a muzzle

as long as the wicked are present.”

2 I was speechless and still; ‡ Act 4:20Mat 27:12-14Isa 53:7Psa 38:13-14Job 32:19-20Mat 7:6

I remained silent, even from speaking good,

and my sorrow was stirred.

3 My heart grew hot within me; ‡ Jer 20:9Luk 24:32Ezk 3:14

as I mused, the fire burned.

Then I spoke with my tongue:

4 “Show me, O LORD, my end ‡ Psa 90:12Psa 103:14Psa 119:84Job 14:13

and the measure of my days.

Let me know how fleeting my life is.

5 You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, ‡ Psa 144:4Psa 89:47Psa 62:9Psa 90:9-10Ecc 2:11Psa 39:11Jas 4:14Job 14:1-2 +7

and my lifetime as nothing before You.

Truly each man at his best

exists as but a breath.

Selah

6 Surely every man goes about like a phantom; ‡ Luk 12:20-21Ecc 2:26Jas 4:141Co 7:31Ecc 12:13Psa 127:21Pe 5:7Ecc 2:17-21 +16

surely he bustles in vain;

he heaps up riches

not knowing who will haul them away.

7 And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? ‡ Rom 15:13Psa 38:15Psa 119:81Gen 49:18Job 13:15Psa 119:166Luk 2:25Psa 130:5-6

My hope is in You.

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; ‡ Psa 44:13Psa 51:14Jol 2:17Mic 7:19Jol 2:19Psa 130:8Psa 25:11Psa 25:18 +10

do not make me the reproach of fools.

9 I have become mute; ‡ Job 2:101Sa 3:182Sa 16:10Dan 4:35Job 1:21Job 40:4-5Lev 10:3Psa 38:13

I do not open my mouth

because of what You have done.

10 Remove Your scourge from me; ‡ Job 9:34Job 13:21Psa 25:16-17Psa 32:4Psa 38:3-41Sa 6:5Job 40:8

I am perishing by the force of Your hand.

11 You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, ‡ Job 13:28Heb 12:6Isa 50:91Co 11:30-32Rev 3:191Co 5:5Psa 102:10-112Pe 2:16 +5

consuming like a moth what he holds dear;

surely each man is but a vapor.

Selah

12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, ‡ 1Pe 2:11Heb 11:132Ki 20:5Lev 25:23Gen 47:9Psa 116:3Psa 119:191Ch 29:15 +8

and give ear to my cry for help;

do not be deaf to my weeping.

For I am a foreigner dwelling with You,

a stranger like all my fathers.

13 Turn Your gaze away from me, ‡ Job 10:20-21Job 14:10-12Job 14:5-6Job 7:19Gen 42:36Gen 5:24

that I may again be cheered

before I depart and am no more.”