Psalm 39

A psalm of David       tune: Old 134th [St Michael] S.M.

1 I said, “I'll watch my tongue,

lest in my words I sin;

when wicked men are in my sight

a muzzle I'll put on.”

2 I said no words at all,

not even words of truth,

3 but my restraint increased my pain;

my thoughts burned in my heart.

And while lost in my thoughts,

the fire burned openly:

4 LORD, let me know my end, I said,

the number of my days.

Show me my frailty.

5 You've made my days so short,

their span is nothing in your sight;

man's life is but a breath.                [Selah]

6 A shadow is each one;

he toils but all in vain;

he heaps up wealth but does not know

to whom it will belong.

7 What then, LORD is my hope?

My hope is fixed in you.

8 Free me from all my trespasses;

don't make me butt of fools.

9 I'm stilled, will moan no more;

from you came this distress;

10 remove from me your chast'ning hand,

lest from your blows I fall.

11 Our sin brings your rebuke

that we may learn your way;

what we would want your moth destroys

to show mankind is vain.                             [Selah]

12 My prayer hear, LORD, my plea;

do not ignore my tears;

your guest I am, I stay with you

just as my fathers did.

13 Avert your angry look

that I may smile again,

before I go away from here,

before I am no more.