Psalms 39. Dixi, Custodiam.
I SAID, I will take heed to my ways, * that I offend not in my
tongue
2 I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle, * while the
ungodly is in my sight.
3 I held my tongue, and spake nothing: * I kept silence, yea,
even from good words; but it was pain and grief to me.
4 My heart was hot within me: and while I was thus musing the
fire kindled, * and at the last I spake with my tongue:
5 LORD, let me know mine end, and the number of my days; * that
I may be certified how long I have to live.
6 Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long, and
mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee; * and verily
every man living is altogether vanity.
7 For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in
vain; * he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather
them.
8 And now, Lord, what is my hope? * truly my hope is even in
thee.
9 Deliver me from all mine offences; * and make me not a rebuke
unto the foolish.
10 I became dumb, and opened not my mouth; * for it was thy doing.
11 Take thy plague away from me: * I am even consumed by the
means of thy heavy hand.
12 When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makest
his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting a
garment: * every man therefore is but vanity.
13 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and with thine ears consider my calling;
* hold not thy peace at my tears;
14 For I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, * as all my
fathers were.
15 O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength, * before
I go hence, and be no more seen.
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