For the end, a Song of David, to Idithun.

39:1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I set a guard on my mouth, while the sinner stood in my presence.

39:2 I was dumb, and humbled myself, and kept silence from good [words]; and my grief was renewed.

39:3 My heart grew hot within me, and a fire would kindle in my meditation: I spoke with my tongue,

39:4 O Lord, make me to know mine end, and the number of my days, what it is; that I may know what I lack.

39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days old; and my existence [is] as nothing before thee: nay, every man living [is] altogether vanity. Pause.

39:6 Surely man walks in a shadow; nay, he is disquieted in vain: he lays up treasures, and knows not for whom he shall gather them.

39:7 And now what [is] my expectation? [is it] not the Lord? and my ground [of hope] is with thee. Pause.

39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: thou hast made me a reproach to the foolish.

39:9 I was dumb, and opened not my mouth; for thou art he that made me.

39:10 Remove thy scourge from me: I have fainted by reason of the strength of thine hand.

39:11 Thou chastenest man with rebukes for iniquity, and thou makest his life to consume away like a spider's web; nay, every man is disquieted in vain. Pause.

39:12 O Lord, hearken to my prayer and my supplication: attend to my tears: be not silent, for I am a sojourner in the land, and a stranger, as all my fathers [were].

39:13 Spare me, that I may be refreshed, before I depart, and be no more.

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

39:1 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.

39:2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

39:4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.

39:5 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.

39:6 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.

39:7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

39:9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.

39:10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.

39:11 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.

39:12 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.

39:13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.