39:1 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."
39:1 To the leader: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, "I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will keep a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence."

39:2 I was dumb and silent, I held my peace to no avail; my distress grew worse,
39:2 I was silent and still; I held my peace to no avail; my distress grew worse,

39:3 my heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
39:3 my heart became hot within me. While I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:

39:4 "LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is!
39:4 "LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.

39:5 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]
39:5 You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight. Surely everyone stands as a mere breath. Selah

39:6 Surely man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nought are they in turmoil; man heaps up, and knows not who will gather!
39:6 Surely everyone goes about like a shadow. Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; they heap up, and do not know who will gather.

39:7 "And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in thee.
39:7 "And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Make me not the scorn of the fool!
39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool.

39:9 I am dumb, I do not open my mouth; for it is thou who hast done it.
39:9 I am silent; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it.

39:10 Remove thy stroke from me; I am spent by the blows of thy hand.
39:10 Remove your stroke from me; I am worn down by the blows of your hand.

39:11 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]
39:11 "You chastise mortals in punishment for sin, consuming like a moth what is dear to them; surely everyone is a mere breath. Selah

39:12 "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.
39:12 "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; do not hold your peace at my tears. For I am your passing guest, an alien, like all my forebears.

39:13 Look away from me, that I may know gladness, before I depart and be no more!"
39:13 Turn your gaze away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more."