Psalm 39: I said, I will look to my ways
To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthan, A Psalm of David.
Meter: C.M. (8,6,8,6)
1 I said, I will look to my ways, lest with my tongue I sin: In sight of wicked men my mouth with bridle I’ll keep in.
2 With silence I as dumb became, I did myself restrain From speaking good; but then the more increased was my pain.
3 My heart within me waxed hot; and, while I musing was, The fire did burn; and from my tongue these words I did let pass:
4 Mine end, and measure of my days, O Lord, unto me show What is the same; that I thereby my frailty well may know.
5 Lo, thou my days an handbreadth mad’st; mine age is in thine eye As nothing: sure each man at best is wholly vanity.
6 Sure each man walks in a vain show; they vex themselves in vain: He heaps up wealth, and doth not know to whom it shall pertain.
7 And now, O Lord, what wait I for? my hope is fix’d on thee. 8 Free me from all my trespasses, the fool’s scorn make not me.
9 Dumb was I, op’ning not my mouth, because this work was thine. 10 Thy stroke take from me; by the blow of thine hand I do pine.
11 When with rebukes thou dost correct man for iniquity, Thou wastes his beauty like a moth: sure each man’s vanity.
12 Attend my cry, Lord, at my tears and pray’rs not silent be: I sojourn as my fathers all, and stranger am with thee.
13 O spare thou me, that I my strength recover may again, Before from hence I do depart, and here no more remain.