Psalms39

The psalmist, David, initially resolves to guard his tongue, but his internal sorrow eventually leads him to speak, lamenting the brevity and frailty of human life. He declares all men to be vanity, even at their best, and places his sole hope in the Lord. David then prays for deliverance from his transgressions and from God's chastening hand, seeking a moment of recovery before his end.

The Struggle for Silence

1
To the excellent musician Ieduthun. I thought, I will take heede to my wayes, that I sinne not with my tongue: I will keepe my mouth brideled, while the wicked is in my sight.
2
I was dumme and spake nothing: I kept silece euen from good, and my sorow was more stirred.
3
Mine heart was hote within me, and while I was musing, the fire kindeled, and I spake with my tongue, saying,

The Frailty and Vanity of Man

4
Lord, let me know mine ende, and the measure of my dayes, what it is: let mee knowe howe long I haue to liue.
5
Beholde, thou hast made my dayes as an hand breadth, and mine age as nothing in respect of thee: surely euery man in his best state is altogether vanitie. Selah.
6
Doubtlesse man walketh in a shadowe, and disquieteth himselfe in vaine: he heapeth vp riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.

Hope in God Amidst Correction

7
And now Lord, what wait I for? mine hope is euen in thee.
8
Deliuer me from all my transgressions, and make me not a rebuke vnto the foolish.
9
I should haue bene dumme, and not haue opened my mouth, because thou didest it.
10
Take thy plague away from mee: for I am consumed by the stroke of thine hand.
11
When thou with rebukes doest chastise man for iniquitie, thou as a mothe makest his beautie to consume: surely euery man is vanitie. Selah.

The Stranger's Final Plea

12
Heare my prayer, O Lord, and hearken vnto my cry: keepe not silence at my teares, for I am a strager with thee, and a soiourner as all my fathers.
13
Stay thine anger from me, that I may recouer my strength, before I go hence and be not.
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